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COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr. 



A PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE 
UNITED STATES 



BY 



THOMAS BONAVENTURE LAWLER, A.M. 

Author of "Essentials of American History" and 
" The Story of Columbus and Magellan " 



GINN & COMPANY 

BOSTON • NEW YORK • CHICAGO ■ LONDON 









Copyright, 1905, uy 
THOMAS BONAVENTURE LAWLER 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



55.9 




i: 



vt 



tgfte atftengum fitter 

C. INN & COMPANY ■ TRO- 
PKIETORS ■ BOSTON • U.S.A. 



PREFACE 

This book is intended to meet the needs of a beginner's 
history for the elementary classes of the schools. So far as a 
work of this nature will allow, it gives a general view of our 
nation's story from the earliest times to the present. Its plan 
looks to the preparation of the youthful pupil for the wider 
study of this subject in the grammar grades. 

It is hoped this small work will arouse the interest of the 

child in the romantic, interesting, and patriotic study of Amei- 

ican history. 

T. B. L. 

April 6, 1905 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Indians . . i 

II. The White Men reach America ... 7 

III. Spanish Exploration and Conquest ... 21 

IV. French Exploration and Conquest . . 30 
V. The Southern Colonies 41 

VI. The Middle Colonies 56 

VII. The New England Colonies .... 69 

VIII. Colonial Indian Wars 80 

IX. France and England at War for America . 83 

X. The American Revolution .... 95 

XI. The New Constitution 125 

XII. From Washington to Madison . . . 128 

XIII. From Madison to Jackson 144 

XIV. From Jackson to Polk 163 

XV. From Polk to Lincoln 173 

XVI. The Civil War 193 

XVII. From Johnson to Harrison .... 219 

XVIII. From Harrison to Roosevelt . . . 230 

QUESTIONS 245 

INDEX 261 



A PRIMARY 
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

CHAPTER I 
THE INDIANS 

1. The Appearance of the Indians; their Name. — The 

earliest natives of America, so far as we know, were a race 
of copper-colored men. They had high cheek bones, coarse, 
black, straight hair, and small, dark eyes. They were tall, 
lean, and erect. 

These people were called Indians by the first white men 
who saw them because they were believed to be the people 
of India. Although it was given by mistake, the name was 
kept, and to-day they are known as Indians from the Arctic 
to the Antarctic oceans. 

2. Homes of the Indians. — The homes of the Indians 
were not the same in all parts of the country. Many of 
them lived in wigwams, which were made by spreading 
skins or bark over poles. These poles were drawn to- 
gether at the top like a tent. A number of wigwams 
made up a village. Frequently the village was surrounded 
by a fence made of high poles. 

The Iroquois, 1 in the state of New York, lived in long 
houses which were made of elm bark. These houses were 

1 Iroquois (ir-o-kwoi'). 
I 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



at times one hundred feet long. They had openings in the 
roof to allow the smoke to escape ; there were no win- 
dows. In the southwestern part of our country the Indians 
built houses of sun-dried bricks. A village of these houses 

was called a pueblo,^ 
from the Spanish 
word for village. At 
times these houses 
were built in openings 
on the side of cliffs 
and were called cliff 
dwellings. 

As a rule the In- 
dians lived in a certain 
well-defined territory 
and seldom wandered 
from it. Between the 
territories of the dif- 
' - ferent tribes were vast 

areas which were prac- 
tically unoccupied. 
3. Clothing and Weapons. — The Indians were clothed 
in skins, especially of the buffalo and the deer. They 
painted themselves in brilliant colors and used feathers 
for adorning their heads. 

Their weapons were at first bows and arrows, which 
they used with great skill. They also had clubs, spears, 
and tomahawks. Their arrows and tomahawks were tipped 
with sharp stones. The Indians later secured guns from 
the white men and became very expert in their use. 

1 Pueblo (pwa'blo). 




An Indian Wigwam 




J' c o 



THE INDIANS 3 

" Their light canoes were built of birch bark on a white 
cedar frame. In these canoes the Indians could glide 




Long House of the Iroquois Indians 

over the lakes and rivers with ease and rapidity. They 
made heavier boats by hollowing out the trunks of large 
trees. When two water ways were separated by a distance 




An Indian Pueblo 

of a few miles the Indians carried their canoes overland. 
This was called a " portage," ^ or carrying place. Most of 

1 Portage (por-taje'). 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 




Bow AND Arrows 



the important forts in our early history were erected 
beside these Indian portages. 

The Indians, especially of the southwest, made the pottery 
which was used in their homes. They also molded clay pipes 
and painted them with brilliant colors. 

4. Hunting and Fighting. — The Indian 
was by nature a hunter and fighter. From 
his life in the forest he learned to follow 
a trail with wonderful skill. He knew the 
habits of birds and beasts and fishes as 
well as the nature of every plant and tree 
and shrub in the forest. 

The Indian was swift of foot and keen 
of sight. He learned to endure hunger 
and thirst without complaint. The tribes 
were frequently at war with one another. 
They had no mercy on their foes and expected no mercy 
from them. At times they roasted captives over a slow fire 
and watched with the greatest pleasure their dying agonies. 
The Indian in his ordinary life showed grief at pain or 
sorrow, but in public he endured torture without a murmur. 

He shaved his head ex- 
cept on the crown. Here 
he allowed the hair to 
grow and braided and 
decorated it with feathers. This was the "scalp lock." 
In fighting the Indian always tried to save his own 
scalp lock and to secure that of his enemy, which he would 
wear at his belt as a sign of victory. 

The Indians seldom moved in large war parties. They 
preferred to fight in small groups. 




Indian Tomahawk 



THE INDIANS 



5 



5. Customs of the Indians. — While the Indian hunted 
and fished and made weapons, his wife, or "squaw," cared 
for the lodge or wigwam and helped him in tilling the fields. 
Women had great influence in Indian life, as they frequently 
sat in the councils of the chiefs. Among the Iroquois they 




Indian File 



could expel a man from the long house of the tribe and send 
him back to his own people. 

In traveling the Indians generally moved in single file, 
as the paths through the forest were very narrow. These 
paths, which were called trails, followed the easiest slopes 
and led through the mountains by the lowest passes, avoid- 
ing rivers and swamps. One of these trails in the West 
was called the Oregon trail and was two thousand riiiles 
long. Many of our highways and railways follow the line 
of the old Indian trails. 



6 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Before the white man came the Indians had dogs, but 
no sheep, horses, or cattle. They used no tools of iron 
or steel. 

They lived in clans that were made up of all the families 
descended from a common female ancestor. A number of 
clans formed a tribe. A symbol, or "totem," such as a 
wolf or a bear, was the mark of the clan, and its members 
believed that the spirit of the animal chosen as the totem 
watched over them. 

The Indians had a belief in a number of mysterious 
spirits called "manitos,"^ which they feared or venerated. 
They had, however, no belief in a single "Great Spirit " or 
Supreme Deity. 

SUMMARY 

1. The earliest inhabitants of America were named Indians because 
the first white men thought they were natives of India. 

2. The Indians were a strong, erect, copper-colored race that lived 
by hunting, fishing, and tilling the soil. 

3. They had no domestic animals except the dog. They had no 
instruments of iron or steel, stone and bone being used for their 
hatchets or tomahawks, arrows, and fishhooks. 

4. They made trails from place to place and used birch canoes on 
the lakes and rivers. 

5. They lived in villages made up of clans. A number of clans 
formed a tribe. 

1 Manitos (man'i-toz). 



CHAPTER II 
THE WHITE MEN REACH AMERICA 

6. The Northmen, looo a.d. — So far as is known, the 
first white men to reach America were the Northmen. 
This was almost one thousand years ago. 

The Northmen came from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. 
They were very skillful sailors and had fought their way 




-*« 



Landing of the Norsemen 

along the coasts of Europe even to Sicily in the Mediter- 
ranean 1 sea. They discovered Iceland and Greenland. One 
of their number, named Leif Ericson,^ is supposed to have 

1 Mediterranean (med-i-ter-ra'ne-an). 

2 Leif Ericson (iTf er'ik-son). 

7 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



reached the northeast coast of America. He is said to 

have named the country Vinland, "the land of grapes." No 
one, however, knows his landing place, 
and no lasting results came from these 
voyages of the Northmen. 

7. Marco Polo. — About two cen- 
turies and a half after Leif Ericson, 
Europe began to learn, through the 
reports of travelers, of wonderful lands 
to the east. 

About 1245, Franciscan friars were 
sent as missionaries to the Tartar tribes 
of Asia. These missionaries went as far 
as Mongolia and on their return wrote of 
the gorgeous palaces and cities of Asia. 
In 1295 a Venetian named Marco Polo arrived home after 

an absence of twenty-four years. In the course of a long 

journey he had traveled 

across Asia and had 

reached Peking in 

northern China. 

On his return he 

described the beautiful 

cities he had seen, with 

their gates of bronze 




Leif Ericson 




The Home 

OF Marco 

Polo 



and their palaces with 
roofs of gold. He also 
told of the wonderful 
empire of Japan,^ of which the world up to this time knew 

^ Japan was called at this time Cipango, and this name appears on the 
maps of the next three centuries, 



THE WHITE MEN REACH AMERICA 9 

nothing. The book of Marco Polo turned the mind of 
Europe to the East and aroused a great desire to find 
the rich countries and cities of which he drew such 
beautiful pictures. 

8. Christopher Columbus. — About one hundred and fifty 
years after the return of Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus 
was born (1446) in Genoa. At an early age he went to sea 
and learned to sail ships. He also learned to draw excellent 
maps and charts. 

The more Columbus studied his charts the more he 
believed he could find a westward route to the rich land of 




A Caravan 



India. It was from India that the spices, dyewoods, ivory, 
silks, and jewels were brought to Europe. 

The routes were partly by land with caravans of camels, 
and partly by water in ships. These routes were not only 
slow but were at this time full of danger, as the Turks, who 
were the enemies of Christian Europe, had gained control 
of the lands and waters through which these routes passed. 

All Europe was therefore anxious to find an all-water 
route to India and the East. 



lO PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 




SPAIN; 



9. The Plans of Columbus. — Columbus believed he could 
find an easy route to China, Japan, and India. He declared, 
as many wise men did before him, that the world was round, 
and by sailing westward he could reach the East with its 
great riches. Columbus was a man of a deeply religious 
nature. He felt, as he later declared, that he had been 
chosen by God to be his messenger in the new lands beyond 

the sea. He hoped to 
secure wealth enough by 
this voyage to fit out an 
army against the Turks, 
that he might recover Pal- 
estine 1 and the Holy Sep- 
ulcher from their hands. 
After forming his plans 
Columbus went to Portugal, ^ which at that time led in the 
efforts to find new routes to the East. He showed his 
charts to the king, but the latter would not give him any 
aid for the great voyage he was planning. Columbus then 
resolved to go to Spain and to ask the king and queen of 
that country to help him. 

10. Columbus in Spain. — Columbus set out on foot from 
Lisbon with his young son, Diego,^ and after a long journey 
entered, weary and footsore, the little town of Palos^ in Spain. 

Near this town was the PVanciscan monastery of La 
Rabida.^ Here he met Father Marchena,^ a member of 
the Franciscan order, who gladly gave him food and 
shelter. With great interest he listened to Columbus and 



Important Cities of the Age 
OF Discovery 



I 



1 Palestine (pares-tin). 

2 Portugal (por'tu-gal). 
8 Diego (de-a'go). 



* Palos (pa'lds). 

'^ La Rabida (la ra^be-da). 

6 Marchena (marcha'na). 



THE WHITE MEN REACH AMERICA 



examined the plans for a westward voyage to India. He 
promised to help him and did so by securing for him the 
aid of the superior, Father Perez/ who had been the con- 
fessor of Queen Isabella. 

Through the advice of the good Franciscan, Isabella sent 
for Columbus. He had to wait a long time, however, before 
his plans could be 
considered. The 
Spanish rulers were 
too much occupied 
with a great war 
against the Moors, 
who had their capi- 
tal in the south of 
Spain. 

11. Queen Isabella 
aids Columbus. — 
The Moors were at 
last conquered in 
1492, and Isabella 
now took up the 
plans for the west- 
ward voyage. A council of learned men was called and 
Columbus explained his ideas, but they were looked upon 
with disfavor. The plans were called visionary and absurd. 

Although he was discouraged Columbus did not give up 
hope, and at last he persuaded Queen Isabella to favor the 
expedition. When told there was no money in the royal 
treasury she answered, " I will sell my jewels, if necessary, 
to obtain the money." It was not necessary to do this, 

1 Perez (pa'reth). 




Queen Isabella 



12 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

however, as the royal treasurer was at last able to secure 
the money that was needed for the voyage. Columbus now 
departed with joyful heart to prepare for the great journey. 

12. The Great Voyage. — Columbus found it very difficult 
to obtain ships and sailors. At that time many men thought 
the ocean was inhabited by hundreds of monsters which 
would destroy any vessels that might come within their 
reach. After great toil, however, Columbus was able to 
secure three small vessels. They were called the Nina} the 
Prnta}" and the Santa Maria. ^ 

At last all was ready. Columbus and his men went to 
the little church of Palos, where they attended Mass and 
prayed for the success of the expedition. 

On August 3, 1492, the small fleet sailed while the bells 
of the Franciscan monastery rang out their good wishes 
and the people of Palos waved a fond farewell to the daring 
mariners. 

The fleet of Columbus sailed southwesterly toward the 
Canary * islands, where the sailors saw with fear the peak of 
Tenerife^ sending forth fire and smoke. As they now turned 
westward the vessels entered the path of the trade winds and 
were carried forward day and night with steady breezes. 

13. The Discovery of Land, October 12, 1492. — As the 
fleet sailed onward day after day and no land came in view, 
the sailors began to murmur. At last they broke into open 
mutiny and asked Columbus to turn the vessels homeward. 
Columbus told them with great firmness that it was useless 
for them to complain, as he was going on until he found land. 

1 Nina (nen'ya). * Canary (ka-na'ri). 

2 Pinta (pen'ta). ^ Tenerife (ten-er-if). 

3 Santa Maria (san'ta ma-re'a). 




13 



14 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

At times the cry was given that land could be seen in 
the distance, but it always proved to be only banks of cloud. 

Columbus now began to see signs that told him he was 
near some shore. Birds that fly only a short distance from 
land were seen, and green stalks of plants covered with fresh 
berries went floating by on the water. 

In the early morning of October 12, 1492, a moving 
light was seen in the distance. It was probably a torch in 
the hands of a native. At daybreak they saw before them 
green shores, and falling on their knees all rendered thanks 
to God for the great discovery. 

14. In the New World. — The new land was one of the 
Bahama^ islands. It was low and barren except for a few 
trees. Here and there were seen the rude huts of the natives. 

Columbus dressed himself in velvet, and putting on his 
sword landed and took possession of the new country in 
the name of the king and queen of Spain. He called the 
land San Salvador,^ or " Holy Redeemer." To the natives 
who stood in fear at a distance he gave the name Indians, 
as he believed he had now reached India. 

After a short visit here, Columbus sailed southward and 
discovered the island of Cuba. For five months he cruised 
among the islands of the Caribbean^ sea and then returned 
to Spain, where he arrived March 15, 1493, amid great 
rejoicing of the people of the little town of Palos. 

All Spain was soon ablaze with the tidings of the great 
discovery. Columbus was invited to visit the court at Bar- 
celona,* where the king and queen and the nobles of Spain 
treated him as a prince of the royal house. 

1 Bahama (ba-ha'ma). ^ Caribbean (kar-ib-be'an). 

2 San Salvador (san sal-va-dor'). * Barcelona (bar-se-lo'na). 




15 



l6 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

15. Later Voyages of Columbus ; Spanish Rule in America ; 
Death of Columbus. — Columbus made three later voyages. 
He discovered Porto Rico ^ and Jamaica ^ and sailed along 
part of the coast of South America. In one of these expe- 
ditions he reached Honduras ^ and the isthmus of Panama.'^ 

The Spanish rulers wished the colonists to become tillers 
of the soil. They therefore sent out on the second and 
later voyages of Columbus many domestic animals, wheat, 
barley, seeds of all kinds, fruit trees, vines, and sugar cane. 
As a result of this wise policy a large part of the Spanish 
colonists lived by farming rather than by mining. 

The colonial laws of Spain were mild. The laws regulat- 
ing slavery were more humane than were those of England 
or France. For this reason the native population was well 
treated and increased in numbers except on the islands. 
Here the severe labor of the mines, but more especially 
disease, caused the death of hundreds of thousands. 

The last years of Columbus were not happy. From one 
of his voyages he was brought back in chains as the result 
of false charges of injustice, cruelty, and even treason to the 
crown of Spain. 

The great explorer died (1506) in neglect. Even to the 
hour of his death he believed that he had found Asia and a 
westward route to India.^ He did not dream that he had 
done something still greater, — that he had found a new 
world. 

1 Porto Rico (por't5 reOco). ^ Honduras (hon-doo'ras). 

2 Jamaica (ja-ma'ka). ^ Panama (pan-a-ma'). 

5 It was not in fact until 1728, two hundred and twenty-two years later, 
that Vitus Bering sailed from the Pacific into the Arctic ocean through 
the strait that now bears his name. This proved for the first time that 
America was not a part of Asia. 




17 



l8 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



16. Cabot discovers the Mainland of North America. — 

At the time of the discovery of America a sailor named 
John Cabot ^ was Uving in England. He was an Italian 
and had seen in his native land the wealth which the cara- 
vans, after great toil and cost, had brought from the East. 
Cabot realized at once the value of the discovery of 
Columbus and applied to the king of England for permis- 
sion and aid to go on a voy- 
age of exploration. His 
request was granted, and 
he sailed (1497) with a 
small vessel. 

Cabot discovered the 
coast of North America, 
probably near Newfound- 
land. Going ashore, he 
raised a cross with the flag 
of England on one side 
and the flag of St. Mark, 
the patron saint of Venice, 
on the other. 

Cabot claimed the land 
he had found for the king 
of England. Because of this voyage the English, a century 
later, claimed all the Atlantic coast as their territory. 

17. Voyage of Vasco da Gama, 1497. — For many years 
the Portuguese, under the lead of Prince Henry the Navi- 
gator, had been sending their sailors southward along the 
coast of Africa. They believed a passage could be found 
around that continent which would give an all-water route 
to India. 

1 Cabot (kab'ot). 




Cabot sighting Newf()i;m)la\i) 



THE WHITE MEN REACH AMERICA 19 

These efforts were at last successful. Bartholomew 
Dias^ reached (i486) the southern point of Africa, later 
named the cape of Good Hope, and saw before him the 
great waters of the Indian ocean. He returned at once 
to Portugal with the joyful news. 

In 1497 Vasco da Gama^ was sent to explore this route. 
He easily reached the cape of Good Hope, and turning 
eastward arrived at last at India (see map, p. 17). With 
his vessels laden with silks, spices, and gold he returned 
home to Lisbon in triumph. 

The Portuguese had found an eastward route by water 
to India. It was this expedition of Vasco da Gama which 
caused Europe to lose interest in the later voyages of 
Columbus. 

18. The Naming of America. — Portugal desired to 
secure a share of the lands to the west of the great Atlan- 
tic, and sent (1501) an expedition under an Italian named 
Americus Vespucius.^ Vespucius sailed along the coast of 
South America as far as the river La Plata.^ He believed 
from the length of his voyage that he had found a new 
continent. 

On his return Vespucius wrote letters giving a descrip- 
tion of the strange lands which he had seen. A German 
map maker and printer who lived at that time in France 
read the letters of Americus. In a geography which he 

1 Dias (de'as). 

2 Vasco da Gama (vas'ko da ga'ma). 

3 His name in Italian was Amerigo Vespucci (a-ma-ree'go ves-poot'chee). 
Americus Vespucius (a-mer'i-ciis ves-pu'shiis) is the Latin form which he 
generally used. Vespucius made in all three voyages to America. 

* La Plata (la pla'ta). It means " the river of silver," and was so named 
because many of the natives seen there wore silver ornaments. 



20 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

published (1507) he gave the name America to the new 
continent, as he beUeved Americus had discovered it. 

The name America was applied at first only to Brazil/ 
then later to South America. It was finally given to the 
entire western hemisphere .^ 

SUMMARY 

1. The Northmen are supposed to have visited (about 1000 a.d.) 
the northeast coast of North America. They named it Vinland. 

2. Christopher Columbus, sailing under the flag of Spain, dis- 
covered the New World October 12, 1492. 

3. John Cabot in 1497 was sent by the king of England on an 
exploring voyage. He discovered the mainland of North America. 

4. Vasco da Gama with a fleet of Portuguese vessels sailed (1497) 
around the cape of Good Hope and reached India. 

5. America was named (1507) in honor of Americus Vespucius, 
who had explored the eastern coasts of South America. 

Dates to be I'enietnbered : 

1492, the discovery of America by Columbus. 
1497, Cabot's discovery of North America. 

1 Brazil (bra-zir). 

2 To the nations of southern Europe we are indebted for nearly all the 
great geographical discoveries and explorations in the New World. In Italy 
were born Columbus, Cabot, Verrazano, and Vespucius; in Portugal, Prince 
Henry the Navigator, Magellan, Dias, Vasco da Gama, and Cabral ; in 
Spain, Balboa, Cortes, Ponce de Leon, De Soto, Pizarro, and Coronado. 



CHAPTER III 
SPANISH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 

19. Balboa discovers the Pacific Ocean, 1513. — On his 

fourth and last voyage Columbus sailed along the coast of 
Panama. Ten years later a brave Spaniard named Balboa ^ 
set out to explore this region. He cut his way through 
the tropical jungle and after great toil crossed the lofty 
mountains. 

As he reached the highest point Balboa saw stretching 
before him a wide ocean. It was the great Pacific. With 
much rejoicing Balboa and his men waded, sword in hand, 
into the water and claimed for the king of Spain all the 
lands bounded by this great ocean. 

20. The Expedition of Ponce de Leon, 1513. — The beauti- 
ful island of Porto Rico had been discovered by Columbus 
in 1493. Its governor was Ponce de Leon,^ who desired 
to explore the lands to the north and to find a wonderful 
fountain. This fountain, it was said, would give perpetual 
youth to any one who drank of its waters. 

Ponce de Leon sailed (15 13) and saw on Easter Sunday 
the coasts of a land bright with flowers and trees. He 
named it Florida from a part of the Spanish term for 
Easter.^ 

1 Balboa (bal-bo'a). 

2 Ponce de Leon (pSn'tha da la-6n'). 

3 Pascua Florida (pas'kwa fl5-re'da) means Flowery Easter. 

21 



22 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



21. The Conquest of Mexico, 1519-1521. — Under the 
command of a brave leader named Hernando Cortes,^ a 
small band of Spaniards landed (15 19) on the coast of 




Thk Early Explorers 

Mexico where the city of Vera Cruz ^ now stands. Far 
inland on a high plateau was the capital of an Indian war 

^ Hernando Cortes (er-nan'd5 kor-tas'). 
^ Vera Cruz (va'ra kroos). 



SPANISH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 23 

chief named Montezuma. ^ He ruled three tribes which 
were united under the name of Aztecs .^ When Montezuma 
heard of the arrival of the strangers on the coast, he sent 
beautiful presents of gold and silver and asked them not 
to come any nearer to his capital. 

When Cortes saw the rich gifts he resolved to push 
forward at once. He sank all his ships that there might 
be no way for his men to go back even if they wished to 
do so. The little band made its way through the dense 
jungle and then slowly toiled up through the difficult 
mountain passes. 

22. Fall of the Aztecs; Pizarro conquers Peru. — The 
Indian foes of the Aztecs soon joined Cortes, and he quickly 
entered the city of Mexico, where Montezuma and his 
warriors lived. 

Soon after his arrival Cortes sent for Montezuma. 
Scarcely had the Aztec chief appeared when the Spaniards 
suddenly seized him and held him as a prisoner. 

The Aztecs for a time were filled with terror at this bold 
action of the Spaniards. They soon elected Montezuma's 
brother as a new war chief, however, and attacked with 
great vigor the building where Montezuma was confined. 
At the command of Cortes, Montezuma came out before 
the enraged people and asked them to submit to the Span- 
iards. The answer of the people was a shower of darts 
and spears, and Montezuma fell, mortally wounded. 

Many severe battles were now fought, and at one time 
the Spaniards were nearly destroyed. With heroic bravery 
Cortes kept up the siege of the city, until at last he captured 
it (152 1 ) and the power of the Aztecs was broken forever. 

1 Montezuma (mon-te-zu'ma). '^ Aztecs (az'teks). 



SPANISH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 25 

A few years later Pizarro^ conquered the rich country 
of Peru,2 and gradually nearly all of Central and South 
America except Brazil passed under the Spanish flag. 

23. The First Voyage around the World, 1519-1522. — 
Up to this time no westward route by water had been 
found to the Pacific ocean and the long-sought-for Spice 
islands. 

A Portuguese named Ferdinand Magellan ^ now took up 
the task. With five vessels he sailed (15 19) under the flag 
of Spain across the Atlantic. Cruising along the coast of 
South America he found the strait which now bears his 
name. Magellan sailed through this strait and steered his 
vessels into the great Pacific. Now began that great journey 
across the greatest of earth's oceans (see map, p. 17). 
Food and water failed the daring voyagers and disease 
swept them off. For more than three months they kept on 
their way, being compelled at last to eat even the leathern 
rigging of the ships. 

24. Discovery of the Philippine Islands, 1521. — The 
brave voyagers finally reached the Ladrones,* where they 
secured food and water. After a brief visit here they con- 
tinued on their journey and discovered (March 16, 1521) 
the Philippine ^ islands. Within a month Magellan was killed 
here in a fight with the natives of Mactan island. Only one 
vessel of the fleet finally reached Spain after an absence of 
three years. 

1 Pizarro (pe-thar'r5). 2 Peru {pe-rob'). ^ Magellan (ma-jer^n). 

^ Ladrones (la-dronz'). They were named the Ladrones or Robber 
islands because the natives tried to steal the goods and small boats 
of the Spaniards. 

^ Philippine (firTp-in). The Philippines were so called in honor of 
Philip II of Spain. 




Monument to Magellan ln Manila 



26 



SPANISH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 27 



This voyage proved the earth to be a globe and that the 
New World was not a part of Asia ; it also gave Spain her 
title to the Philippine islands. For three hundred and 
seventy-seven years Spain held possession of these islands, 
when they were ceded to the United States in 1898 by the 
Treaty of Paris. 

25. Coronado's Expedition, 1540. — Rumors of cities of 
great wealth reached the Spaniards in Mexico, and Coro- 
nado,i a Spanish soldier, was sent to find them. Starting 




De Soto on the Banks of the Mississippi 

from Mexico (1540), he traveled northward. On this expe- 
dition the great canyon of the Colorado ^ was discovered. 

For two years Coronado explored the southwest, travel- 
ing as far north as Kansas and Nebraska. He failed to 
find the rich cities, of course, because they did not exist. 
1 Coronado (ko-ro-na'do). 2 Colorado (kol-o-ra'do). 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



The Spaniards saw probably for the first time the great 
herds of buffalo which they described as crook-back oxen. 

26. The Exploration of De Soto, 1540. — During this same 
year De Soto/ another Spaniard, explored the southeastern 
part of our country. He started from Florida and crossed 
the states of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. He 
traveled westward until he saw before him the mighty 

Mississippi river. 
He died soon 
after reaching it 
and was buried on 
its banks. The 
Indians quickly 
discovered De 
^ Soto's grave, and 
the Spaniards, 
fearing that they 
might disturb it, 
resolved to move 
the body of the 
great explorer. They cut down an evergreen oak and hol- 
lowed it out. In this cavity they placed De Soto's remains 
and sealed them up. Silently at midnight they rowed out 
on the great river and lowered their burden into the swiftly 
flowing waters. 

27. Founding of St. Augustine, 1565, and Santa Fe, 1582. — 
This work of exploration led to the building by the Span- 
iards of a fort on the coast of Florida. It was begun in 
1565 and was named St. Augustine.^ It is the oldest city 
in the United States. 

1 De Soto (da so'to). - St. Augustine (sant a'gus-ten). 




Old Spanish Gateway at St. Augustine 



SPANISH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 29 

Throughout the territory explored by the Spaniards 
many missions were founded where the Indians could be 
taught the truths of Christianity. Santa Fe,i high up 
among the mountains of New Mexico, is the second oldest 
settlement in the United States. It was founded (1582) 
by the Spanish Franciscans as a center of civilization. For 
the conversion of the Indians of Arizona and New Mexico 
no less than fifty missions were founded as early as 1630. 

These discoveries and explorations and the founding of 
the missions gave Spain the right to claim a large part 
of the continent of North America. 



SUMMARY 

1. Balboa discovered the Pacific ocean in 15 13. 

2. Ponce de Leon started from Porto Rico and discovered (1513) 
Florida. 

3. With a small band of soldiers Cortes landed (15 19) at Vera 
Cruz and conquered Mexico in 1521. 

4. In 1 5 19 Magellan began the first voyage around the world. He 
found the strait that now bears his name, and discovered the Ladrones 
and the Philippine islands in 1521. 

5. Coronado began in 1540 the exploration of the southwest. In 
the same year De Soto traveled through the gulf states and died 
on the banks of the Mississippi. 

6. St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States, was founded 
in 1565. 

Date to be remetnbered : 

1565, the founding of St. Augustine, the first permanent Spanish 
settlement in America. 

1 Santa Fe (san'ta fa). 



CHAPTER IV 
FRENCH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 

28. Cartier discovers the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1534. 

— While the Spaniards were exploring the southwest the 
French turned their eyes on the rich country to the north. 

A few years after the discovery of America daring 
French fishermen^ began to come to the coast of New- 
foundland for the fish which are so abundant there. At 
that time fish formed a very important part of the food of 
the people of Europe. 

In 1535 the king of France, wishing to secure territory 
in the New World, sent an expedition under Cartier ^ on a 
voyage of discovery. Cartier soon found the great gulf to 
which he gave the name St. Lawrence, in honor of the 
saint on whose day it was discovered. 

29. Cartier's Second Voyage, 1535 Cartier made a 

second voyage in 1535 and entered the St. Lawrence river. 

Going ashore he raised a cross and claimed the country 
for the king of France. 

He now began his journey up the great river. The banks 
were covered with beautiful forests, while the air resounded 
with the songs of numerous birds. On the high cliffs where 
Quebec ^ now stands Cartier saw an Indian village. He 

1 These fishermen were from Brittany, and Cape Breton, said to be the 
oldest surviving name upon the Atlantic coast of North America, was 
called after them. 2 Cartier (kar-tya'). ^ Quebec (kwe-bek'). 

30 




31 



32 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UxNITED STATES 



won at once the good will of the natives by giving them 
beads, toys, clothes, and bright-colored ribbons. 

As Cartier continued up the river he reached an Indian 
settlement. Behind the village rose lofty bluffs. To this beau- 
tiful spot he gave the name Montreal,^ or " royal mountain." 

This voyage of Cartier gave to the king of France the right 
to claim all the territory drained by the St. Lawrence river. 

30. Champlain founds Quebec, 1608. — The work begun 
by Cartier was carried on many years later by Champlain,^ 

a brave soldier and explorer. 
As he sailed up the St. Law- 
rence he arrived at the point 
where the river becomes 
very narrow. Directly in 
front are the heights that 
had been seen by Cartier. 

Champlain saw at once the 
value of the spot for a per- 
manent settlement and forti- 
fied post . Here a few wooden 
buildings, surrounded by a 
wooden wall, were built in 
1608. This was the founding of the first permanent French 
settlement in America. It was named Quebec, meaning in 
the Indian tongue "the narrow place." This city was for 
a century the capital of New France. 

31. The Great Work of Champlain. — Champlain explored 
the country and made maps of all this region. He discov- 
ered the beautiful lake which now bears his name and 
explored lake Ontario and lake Huron. 

1 Montreal (mont-re-ar). ^ Champlain (sham-plan'). 




'||V^^1^'/ 



Champlain 



FRENCH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 33 

Champlain was anxious to convert the Indians to Chris- 
tianity, and with this idea in view he invited (161 5) the 
Franciscans to come to the New World and minister to 
them. A few years later the Jesuits arrived to assist in 
this noble work. 

Champlain secured for the French the extensive and rich 
fur trade. In one of the Indian wars on the shores of lake 
George, Champlain took the part of the Algonquins against 
the Iroquois. The Iroquois had never heard a gun before 
and were terror stricken when Champlain in full armor 
appeared and killed them in great numbers. Ever after- 
wards the Iroquois were the bitter enemies of the French 
and prevented them from gaining control of the state of 
New York with its great water ways. 

The name of Champlain is one of the greatest in early 
American history. 

32. The Founding of Indian Missions. — As the French 
explorers went westward Jesuit and Franciscan mission- 
aries went with them, teaching the natives Christianity 
and civilization. Missions were quickly founded along the 
St. Lawrence river and the Great Lakes, and as early as 
1 63 1 these heroic men had reached the northern shore 
of lake Superior. They made maps of the country and 
have left us interesting descriptions of the scenes of their 
work in those early days. Many of these missionaries 
were cruelly tortured and killed by the savage tribes they 
had tried to civilize. 

33. Father Marquette on the Mississippi. — From time 
to time the missionaries heard from the Indians of a great 
river to the westward. It was called by the natives the 
Mississippi, "the father of waters." 




Father Marquette 
(From Trentanove's statue in the Capitol at Washington) 



34 



FRENCH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 35 

Father Marquette,^ a Jesuit missionary, now resolved to 
find this river. With a French explorer named Jolliet ^ he 
set out (1673) with two birch-bark canoes. They entered 
Green bay and paddled up the Fox river to its head waters. 
The Indian guides told them that another river, flowing 
westward, was not far away. 

Picking up their canoes, they carried them to this river 
— the Wisconsin — and started downward, gliding on its 
smooth waters by day and resting upon its banks by night. 
In seven days they reached the mouth of the W^isconsin 
and saw before them a majestic river flowdng to the south. 

34. Exploring the Mississippi. — They knew the river 
must be the Mississippi. "Joy that could find no utter- 
ance in words filled the grateful heart of Marquette. The 
broad river of the Conception, as he named it, now lay 
before them, stretching away hundreds of miles to an 
unknown sea." 

It was one hundred and thirty years since De Soto, 
many leagues to the southward, had gazed upon this same 
river. Downward the explorers turned their canoes and 
floated past bluffs and prairies, forests and Indian villages, 
till they reached the mouth of the Arkansas.^ 

Here they rested. They were now satisfied that the 
Mississippi flowed into the gulf of Mexico, and not into 
the gulf of California. 

They now returned up the river, and paddling against its 
strong current at last reached Green bay again. Here Father 
Marquette rested while Jolliet went on to Quebec with reports 

1 Marquette (mar-ket'). 

2 Jolliet (zho-le-a'). This name is frequently spelled Joliet. 

3 Arkansas (ar'kan-sa). 



36 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

of the journey. This voyage of the great French pathfinders 
is one of the most interesting on the pages of history. 

35. La Sailers Exploration, 1681-1682. — The news of 
Father Marquette's great journey soon reached Canada. 




La Salle on the Great Lakes 



A brave Frenchman named La Salle ^ resolved to explore 
the Mississippi still further and to reach, if possible, the 
mouth of this great river. 

1 La Salle (la sal'). 



FRENCH EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST 37 

If France could control this water way, thought La Salle, 
she would secure the rich fur trade of the continent. This 
would enable her to build up great colonies in the fertile 
lands which Marquette had described. 

In 1 68 1 La Salle started down lake Michigan to the 
point where the city of Chicago now stands. He paddled 
up the Chicago river and crossed overland a short distance. 
This brought him to the Illinois ^ river, and down the 
waters of this stream he journeyed till he came to the broad 
Mississippi. The brave explorer suffered terribly from the 
cold ; the river was full of floating trees and huge cakes 
of ice, which threatened each moment to crush the frail 
canoes. 

36. La Salle explores the Mississippi. — In spite of the 
great danger La Salle pushed onward, visiting the Indian 
villages as he passed along. In each village a cross was 
erected, bearing the arms of France. In two months 
La Salle reached the mouth of the Mississippi, where it 
pours its flood of waters into the gulf of Mexico. 

In the meantime Father Hennepin, a Franciscan friar, 
had been sent by La Salle on an exploring tour. Hennepin 
was captured by the Sioux ^ Indians and taken to the head 
waters of the Mississippi, where he saw the great falls 
named by him in honor of St. Anthony. Here later arose 
the flourishing cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

37. La Salle claims Louisiana for France. — On reaching 
the mouth of the Mississippi, La Salle erected a cross, and 
beside it a post to which he attached the arms of France. 
There amid the salute of guns he claimed the entire country 
drained by the Mississippi as the territory of France. He 

1 Illinois (Tl-lT-noi'). ^ Sioux (soo). 



38 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

named this vast area Louisiana in honor of the French 
king, Louis the Fourteenth. 

It was not enough, however, to claim the country. Forts 
must be built to protect the territory and colonists must be 
brought in to settle it. 

38. The Plans of the French ; Death of La Salle. — La 
Salle now went to France, where he told of the great ter- 
ritory he had claimed for the French king. He showed 
how necessary it was to build a strong post at the mouth 
of the river. "It is also necessary," he said, "to erect a 
chain of forts that will control the Mississippi and the 
Great Lakes." 

The king of France at once fitted out an expedition, and 
La Salle sailed (1684) for the mouth of the Mississippi, but 
he failed to find the outlet of the great river. Some of 
his vessels were wrecked, and at last he himself was mur- 
dered (1687) by some of his followers. 

39. The Founding of Mobile, New Orleans, and Detroit. — 
The French, however, carried out his plans to a certain 
extent. They built a fort in the territory of the Illinois 
Indians to keep the savages in check and to protect the 
route to lake Michigan. Two settlements were made on 
the gulf of Mexico to prevent the Spaniards from gaining 
control of the Mississippi. One was Mobile ^ (i/oi) and 
the other was New Orleans ^ (1718). 

A few years earlier Cadillac ^ saw the great value of a 
fortified post that would control the strait that connects 
lake Erie and lake Huron. Here he built (1701) a fort, 
around which grew up the flourishing city of Detroit.^ 

1 Mobile (mo-bel'). ^ Cadillac (kad-il-lak'). 

2 New Orleans (nu or'le-anz). ■* Detroit (de-troit'). 




39 



40 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

To the westward from lake Superior to the Saskatchewan ^ 
river, for a distance of no less than twelve hundred miles, 
fur-trading stations were founded by the hardy French 
pioneers. 

Along the Ohio forts were built and plates of lead or 
pewter were planted. On these plates were inscribed the 
royal arms of France and the claims of the French to this 
territory. French names were given to many of the towns, 
rivers, lakes, and valleys. 

SUMMARY 

1. In 1 534-1 535 Cartier discovered and explored the St. Lawrence 
and claimed for the king of France all the territory drained by thi.s 
river. 

2. Champlain founded at Quebec in 1608 the first permanent 
French settlement in America. 

3. Missions were founded along the St. Lawrence river and the 
Great Lakes. In 1673 Father Marquette explored the Mississippi 
river. 

4. In 1682 La Salle traced the Mississippi to its mouth. The 
territory drained by the river he named Louisiana and claimed it 
for the king of France. 

Date to be remembered : 

1608, the founding of Quebec, the first permanent French settle- 
ment in America. 

1 Saskatchewan (sas-kach'e-wan). 



CHAPTER V 
THE SOUTHERN COLONIES 

VIRGINIA (1607) 

40. The English attempt to settle America. — England 
claimed the continent of North America because John Cabot, 
while sailing under an English flag, had discovered it in 1497. 

For eighty years no attempt was made to explore the 
new land or to colonize it. English slave traders, however, 
among whom were Hawkins and Drake, began as early as 
1562 to cruise in the Caribbean sea, attacking Spanish 
vessels and sacking Spanish towns. In 1577 Drake passed 
through the strait of Magellan and sailed northward along 
the coast of South America, plundering and burning cities 
as he went. He passed northward as far as California 
in an attempt to find a northeast passage by which he 
might reach the Atlantic. When he failed to find this 
passage he sailed westward and returned (1580) to Europe 
by way of the cape of Good Hope. 

It was not until 1583, ninety-one years after Columbus's 
great discovery, that England began to send out men to 
found settlements in the New World. These settlements 
were f allures. ^ 

1 In 1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert made a vain attempt to found a settle- 
ment in Newfoundland. Beginning in 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh, a half- 
brother of Gilbert, sent out three expeditions, but they failed to make 
permanent settlements. 

41 



42 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

In 1606 the king of England gave to two companies all 
the territory claimed by the English. This territory was 
at that time called Virginia,^ and under this name was in- 
cluded the entire country from Maine to Florida. 

41. The Plymouth and London Companies ; Jamestown 
founded, 1607. — One of the companies to which the king 
made the grant of land was called the Plymouth ^ Company ; 

the other was the London Company. 
These companies received their names 
from the cities in England where they 
were formed. 

The Plymouth Company sent ( 1 607) 
a colony to the mouth of the Ken- 
nebec ^ river in Maine. The winter 
there was so cold that many died. 
The colony was a failure and the 
settlers returned. 

The London Company was more 
successful. Their colonists reached 
a river which they named the James, 
in honor of James the P'irst, king of 
England. On the low marshy banks of this river was 
founded in 1607 the first permanent English settlement in 
America. It was named Jamestown. 

42. The English in Virginia ; Captain John Smith. — At 
first the colony did not succeed. In six months the supplies 
were exhausted and half the colony had died. The settlers 
searched only for gold. They would not work in the fields 
nor build homes. 




^ Virginia (ver-jin'i-a). '^ Plymouth (plim'uth). 

3 Kennebec (ken-e-bek'). 




43 



44 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

The colony owed its life to Captain John Smith, who 
finally took charge of affairs. He made friends with the 
Indians, secured the corn that saved the colonists from fam- 
ine, and ordered houses to be built. Each man in the colony 
had to do his share of hard work. 

Captain Smith explored the country, sailing up the Chesa- 
peake bay and the Susquehanna river. He was looking for 
a water way which was supposed to connect the Atlantic 
with the Pacific. For this water way the Spanish, French, 
and English explorers looked in vain for years. 

43. Captain Smith saved by Pocahontas. — On one of his 
exploring expeditions Smith met with an exciting adventure, 
as he tells us.^ With four companions he was taken captive 
by the Indians. His companions were killed at once, but 
Smith was led into an Indian council before a chief called 
Powhatan .2 This chief was covered with a robe made of 
skins. Around him sat the warriors and squaws, all with 
faces painted in bright colors. 

The Indians talked together for a long time and then 
decided that Smith must die. He was led forth and his 
head placed upon stones that he might be beaten to death. 

Before the first blow .could be given, Pocahontas,^ the 
little daughter of Powhatan, ran forward, placed her arms 
around Smith's head, and begged for his life. Powhatan at 
last granted her request, and Smith was saved from death. 

Pocahontas was later married to an English settler named 
John Rolfe. She went to England and was received- by the 
king with great honor as the daughter of a king. 

1 The truth of this story of Pocahontas has been doubted by many 
historians. This rescue of Smith, however, was not contrary to the cus- 
toms and usages of many of the Indian tribes. 

2 Powhatan (po-ha-tan'). ^ Pocahontas (po-ka-hon^tas). 



THE SOUTHERN COLONIES 45 

44. Famine in Virginia ; Trouble with the Indians. — 

After spending two years in the colony Captain Smith 
returned to England. Scarcely had he gone when the 
colony was on the point of famine. The whole enterprise 
would have been given up had not Lord Delaware ^ arrived 
with supplies from England. 

While Powhatan and Pocahontas lived the Indians and 
the white men were generally at peace. After the death of 
Powhatan, however, war broke out. The Indians attacked 
Jamestown and the other settlements, and hundreds of set- 
tlers were killed or tortured to death. The colonists in turn 
now waged so bitter a warfare that the Indians were crushed, 
and for some years the land was in peace. 

45. The First Representative Assembly. — Under Lord 
Delaware and his successors the colony began to prosper. 
In twelve years there were eleven towns with a population 
of two thousand colonists. These colonists now asked to 
have a part in making their own laws. This request was 
granted, and two men came from each town (or borough,^ 
as it was called) to an assembly in the wooden church at 
Jamestown. Here they met July 30, 16 19, 

This was the first representative assembly in America. 
The date of this event is most important, as it marks the 
beginning of popular government in America. It showed 
that even at that early day the people here demanded the 
right to make the laws under which they lived. 

46. The Beginnings of Slavery. — In -this same year 
(1619) a Dutch vessel came into the James river with a 
cargo of slaves. Twenty of the negroes were sold to Vir- 
ginia colonists. This was the beginning of negro slavery 

1 Delaware (dera-war)r 2 Borough (bur'o). 



46 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

in English America. There were white slaves in Virginia 
also. To relieve the jails of England that were filled with 
prisoners, criminals were sent to America and sold for a 
term of years. Again, there were many persons who desired 
to come to America but had not money enough to pay for 
the passage. The captain of a ship would bring them over 
and sell them to a planter and thereby secure the money 
for their passage. 

Other slaves were homeless children or those stolen from 
the streets of London by kidnappers. 

The black and white slaves worked together on the plan- 
tations, but the latter could not be held beyond the term of 
their contract, being then free.^ They generally secured 
homes for themselves and became happy colonists. 

47. Cultivation of Tobacco. — The cultivation of tobacco, 
which was begun in 1624, brought in an era of prosperity 
for the colony. Tobacco raising became the chief occupa- 
tion of the people, and was so profitable that even the 
streets and market place of Jamestown were planted with 
tobacco. The habit of smoking had spread so rapidly in 
England that every pound of tobacco raised in Virginia 
could be sold at a good price. Tobacco in fact took the 
place of money in the colony, and the worth of goods was 
reckoned in pounds of tobacco. The wealth to be made by 
raising tobacco drew settlers from England to the colony 
and made its future secure. 

48. Life in Virginia. — The culture of tobacco led to the 
formation of large plantations. Up the numerous rivers 

1 These white slaves were called redemptioners because they could 
redeem or free themselves at the end of their contract. They were also 
called indented or indentured servants. 



THE SOUTHERN COLONIES 



47 



ships came from England and unloaded almost at the door 
of the planter the articles he needed, such as tables, chairs, 
clothing, knives, and forks. There were practically no goods 
made in Virginia, as everybody was busy raising tobacco. 

There were few towns in the colony. With the wealth 
secured from their crops of tobacco the planters built 
beautiful homes, where they were surrounded by hundreds 
of slaves to carry on the household. 

The Church of England was established by law, and each 
settler was compelled to attend it or to pay a fine of twenty 
pounds of tobacco. In addition severe laws were passed to 
prevent Catholics and Quakers from entering the colony. 

SUMMARY 

1. Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, 
was founded in 1607. 

2. The first representative assembly in America met in Jamestown, 
July 30, 1619. 

3. Slavery was introduced into Virginia in 1619. 

4. The cultivation of tobacco began an era of prosperity for the 
colony. 

MARYLAND (1634) 

49. Lord Baltimore founds Maryland. — The Catholics 
of England at this period were living under severe laws 
that had been passed to prevent them from worshiping 
according to their faith. A Catholic nobleman, George 
Calvert, who had received the title of Lord Baltimore, 
sought a place in the New World where his fellow-Catholics 
could worship in peace. He asked the king of England to 



48 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

give him territory in America. Lord Baltimore's request 
was granted, and he received a large tract of land along 
the Potomac river, north of the colony of Virginia. He 
named it Maryland in honor of Henrietta Maria, the queen 
of England. 

Lord Baltimore died before his plans were finished, and 
they were carried out by his son, Cecil Calvert, the second 
Lord Baltimore. 

50. Settlement at St. Marys, 1634. — Lord Baltimore 
was given great powers, being in fact a king except in 




The Site of St. Marys 



name. In return he was required to give to the king 
merely twO' Indian arrows a year and one fifth of all the 
gold and silver found in the colony. 

The settlers under Leonard Calvert, brother of Lord 
Baltimore, came to Chesapeake bay and entered the beauti- 
ful Potomac river. Landing on St. Clements island, they 
erected a cross with solemn religious services. A few days 




,CBt7/I VO B A L TEMO RE 



^^7v;...v;; (^'.^^ 







JtrOT^Sff^iuJi*^ 






Cecil Calvert 



49 



50 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

later (March 27, 1634) they founded on the banks of the 
St. Georges river the town of St. Marys. Here was built 
the first Catholic chapel in the English colonies. 

The land for the new colony was bought from the Indians 
with presents of hoes, axes, knives, and cloth. A treaty of 
peace and friendship was made with the red men. 

The rivers and bays supplied fish in great quantities, game 
abounded in the forests, and the rich soil produced corn in 
abundance. As the colony was made up of settlers who were 
not afraid to work, it prospered from the very beginning. 

51. Claiborne's Rebellion ; Act of Toleration. — Virginia 
claimed as her own the territory which had been ceded to 
Lord Baltimore, and she tried in vain to prevent him from 
founding the colony. In Chesapeake bay a Virginian named 
Claiborne had a trading station on Kent island. This island 
was in the province of Maryland. He refused to acknowl- 
edge the title of Lord Baltimore, and gathering a force 
attacked the colony, drove out the governor, and plundered 
the people. 

Two years later Lord Baltimore regained control of his 
province and in 1649 called together an assembly. This 
assembly granted freedom of worship to all Christians by 
passing the famous Act of Toleration. 

There were many Puritans in Virginia. As they were 
persecuted there. Lord Baltimore invited them to come to 
Maryland. One thousand accepted the invitation and crossed 
into Maryland, taking the oath of fidelity to Lord Baltimore. 

At the earliest opportunity they seized the government 
and called an assembly. This assembly at once repealed 
(1654) the Act of Toleration. Freedom of worship was 
denied to Catholics, Quakers, Baptists, and Episcopalians. 



THE SOUTHERN COLONIES 



51 



Four years later the government of England gave back 
to Lord Baltimore his province, and he immediately restored 
the Act of Toleration as the law of the colony. 

52. The Founding of Annapolis and Baltimore. — Thirty- 
four years later, when William, Prince of Orange, became 
king of England, Lord Baltimore again 
lost his province and a royal governor 
was sent out. In 171 5 the colony was 
at last restored to the fifth Lord 
Baltimore, and he and his descend- 
ants held it until the outbreak of the 
Revolution. 

The city now called Annapolis was 
founded in 1649 by the Puritans and was named Providence 
by them. This city later became the capital in place of 
St. Marys. 

The need of a port on the waters of Chesapeake bay led, 
in 1729, to the founding of the great city of Baltimore. 




¥^ -^^ 



SUMMARY 



1. Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore in 1634 as a refuge 
for the Catholics of England. 

2. The first settlement was St. Marys. 

3. In 1634 was passed the Toleration Act, which allowed freedom 
of worship to all Christians. 

4. Claiborne overthrew the government of Lord Baltimore in 1654, 
but it was restored in 1658. 

5. In 1654 the Puritans repealed the Act of Toleration. 

6. The charter was taken away by the king of England in 1692, 
but was finally restored to the fifth Lord Baltimore in 171 5. 



52 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



THE CAROLINAS (1663) 

53. The Grant of Carolina, — Many attempts were made 
by the Enghsh to found settlements along the south Atlantic 
coast, but they were not successful. 

In 1663 Charles the Second, king of England, gave to 
Lord Clarendon and seven others a vast territory which 
stretched from Virginia as far south as Florida. 

This territory was named Carolina, after King Charles. 
It is a strange fact that the same name had been given to 

this region by the 




French one hun- 
dred years before, 
in honor of their 
king, Charles the 
Ninth. 

At the junction 
of the Ashley and 
Cooper rivers the 
foundations of a 
settlement were 
laid (1680). This 
settlement, which 
was named Charles- 
ton, became the center of a great trade, until at the outbreak 
of the Revolution it was the fifth city of the colonies. 

54. North and South Carolina. — About fifty years later 

the proprietors sold the territory of Carolina to the king of 

England, and he divided it into North and South Carolina. 

In South Carolina was begun (1693) the great rice 

industry. A sea captain had brought some rice seed from 



THE SOUTHERN COLONIES 53 

Madagascar. 1 When this seed was planted it grew with 
such success that rice became the chief export of the colony. 

Another source of wealth was indigo. It was first planted 
by a girl as a garden ornament. The soil was so well adapted 
to its growth, however, that it was cultivated everywhere 
and was a source of wealth to the colonists. To the Caro- 
linas rice and indigo were as important and valuable as 
tobacco w^as to Virginia. 

For the tilling of these crops there was needed a large 
number of slaves, as they died very quickly in the unhealth- 
ful rice swamps. The buying and selling of negroes there- 
fore became one of the most active industries of South 
Carolina. 

From the great forests of North Carolina came pitch, 
tar, turpentine, and yellow-pine timber. The products of 
the Carolinas were sent to England, where they were sold 
at good prices. 

In these colonies freedom of worship was not allowed. 
The Church of England was established by law and sup- 
ported by the taxes of all the colonists. Quakers arid 
Catholics were not permitted to reside in the colony, 
although later the Quakers w^ere allowed to come. 



SUMMARY 

1. Carolina was granted to Lord Clarendon and others in 1663. 

2. In 1680 Charleston was founded. 

3. In 1729 Carolina was divided into North and South Carolina. 

1 Madagascar (mad-a-gas'kar). 



54 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

GEORGIA (1733) 

55. Oglethorpe's Colony. — It was for many years the 
law of England that a person who did not pay his debts 
might be put in prison and kept there until he did pay. 
Some people who were not able to obtain money enough 
to pay their debts had to stay in prison, therefore, until 
they died. 

To aid these unhappy people a soldier named James 
Oglethorpe ^ formed a company to pay these debts and free 
these people from prison. They would then be given pas- 
sage to a new colony which Oglethorpe intended to found 
in America. In this new colony slavery and the sale of 
rum were prohibited. 

There was another reason for Oglethorpe's desire to 
found a colony on the south Atlantic coast. He had been 
a soldier, and he now formed military plans to check the 
northward march of the Spaniards and to prevent them 
from securing the rich territory between Florida and the 
Carol inas. 

The king of England, George the Second, gave his 
approval to the plan and granted (1732) to Oglethorpe the 
territory between the Savannah and the Altamaha^ rivers. 

56. The Founding of Savannah, 1733. — The chief set- 
tlement of the colony was named Savannah. Because of 
the mild climate Oglethorpe believed he could rival Italy 
and France in the production of silk, olive oil, and wine. 

Mulberry trees were planted, but the silk culture was a 
failure. Vineyards were laid out. The wine, however, was 
not as good as that made in England, and this enterprise 

1 Oglethorpe (o'g'l-thorp). ^ Altamaha (al-ta-ma-ha') 



THE SOUTHERN COLONIES 



55 



also failed. The planting of rice and indigo and the export 
of lumber were more successful, especially after negro 
slavery was allowed. 

57. War with the Spaniards Oglethorpe believed the 

Spaniards of Florida were planning to attack his colony. 
He therefore gathered a large force and marched (1740) 
against St. Augustine, the Spanish stronghold. 

The Spaniards defended their city with such bravery that 
Oglethorpe was forced to return home. Two years later the 
Spaniards with an army of five thousand men sailed north- 
ward and attacked the Georgia colony, but they were defeated. 

Georgia had an assembly to which any one who was a 
church member could be elected. The Church of England 
was established by law and was supported by taxes levied 
upon all the people. While the colony was liberal in many 
ways, it denied to Catholics the right to vote or to hold 
office, and Jews were forbidden to enter it. In 1752 the 
colony was given by the proprietors to the king of England. 
It was the last colony founded in America by the English. 

SUMMARY 

1. Georgia was founded by Oglethorpe as a refuge for English 
debtors. 

2. Savannah was settled in i 733. 

The Southern Colonies 

Dates to be reviejubered : 

1607, the first permanent English settlement in America. 
1619, the introduction of negro slavery into English America. 
1 6 19, the first representative assembly in America at Jamestown. 
1649, ^^ passage of the Religious Toleration Act in Maryland. 



CHAPTER VI 



THE MIDDLE COLONIES 



NEW NETHERLAND, OR NEW YORK (1614) 

58. Discovery and Exploration of the Hudson River 

The first European to enter the present harbor of New 

York was probably Verrazano/ an Itahan, who made his 

voyage (1524) under 
the flag of France. 

In the following 
year {1525) a Span- 
iard, Estevan Gomez,^ 
entered these waters. 
He sailed up a great 
river which he saw 
flowing into the har- 
bor here, and named 
it River of St. An- 
thony. 

In 1609 an English 
navigator, Henry 
Hudson, was sent out 
by the directors of the 

Dutch West India Company on a voyage of exploration. 

He entered the majestic river which Verrazano and Gomez 

1 Verrazano (ver-ra-tsa'n5). 

2 Estevan Gomez (es-ta'van go'meth). 

56 




New Netherland 



THE MIDDLE COLONIES 



57 



had seen more than eighty years before. In his small vessel 
named the Half Moon Hudson sailed past the Palisades and 
continued northward through the Narrows where the moun- 
tains seemed almost to close the river. 

Hudson gave the name River of the Mountains to the 
river on which he was sailing, but it was later called Hudson 
in honor of the explorer. 

Indians dressed in fur robes and wearing copper neck- 
laces came in their light canoes to visit the Half Moon, — 




Hudson and the Dutch Directors 



"the white bird," as they called it. They exchanged furs 
and skins for colored cloth and beads. 

59. Settlement of Manhattan. — On his return to Europe 
Hudson made a report of his voyage. The wealth of the 
great fur trade of this country aroused the zeal of the 
merchants of Holland, who at once formed the Dutch West 



58 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

India Company and sent out colonists to settle the country, 
to which the name New Netherland ^ was given. 

In 1 6 14 log forts were erected on an island at the 
mouth of the Hudson. The island was later (1626) bought 
from the natives for a few trinkets, and was named Man- 
hattan^ after a tribe of Delaware Indians who lived there. 

Around these log forts and huts arose a settlement 
named New Amsterdam^ in honor of a famous city in 
Holland. New Amsterdam later became the great city of 
New York. 

60. The Dutch erect Fortified Posts. — On the upper 
waters of the Hudson a fort was built. A few years later 
(1623) this fort was moved northward to a point from 
which the Indian trails led in every direction. This post was 
named Fort Orange. It later became the city of Albany. 

A treaty was made with the Iroquois, or Five Nations, 
the powerful Indian confederacy that lived in the state of 
New York. The Iroquois were ever afterward friendly to 
the Dutch and later to the English. They stood as a bar- 
rier, blocking the southward progress of the French. 

In 1623 another fort was built on the Delaware river, 
not far from the present site of Philadelphia. It was named 
Fort Nassau.* 

Ten years later (1633) the fur trade of Connecticut^ 
turned the eyes of the Dutch to that section, and a forti- 
fied post named Good Hope was begun where the city of 
Hartford now stands. 

1 The Dutch states of Europe were called the United Netherlands. 
Holland was one of these states. 

2 Manhattan (man-hat'an). •* Nassau (nas'a). 

3 Amsterdam (am'ster-dam). ^ Connecticut (kon-net'i-kut). 




,r ^'iH^^. 






IM. 



59 



6o PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



61. The Patroons Up to this time fur trading had 

been the chief reason for the voyages between Holland 
and New Netherland. The Dutch West India Company 
now hoped to settle the country. They offered large tracts 
of land to any one who would establish in their colony a 
settlement of fifty persons. Many accepted the offer. They 
were named patroons, ^ or patrons. These patroons were 




New York in the Early Days 

frequently granted miles of territory, and hundreds of ten- 
ants lived on their property under very strict rules and paid 
rent to them. 

The Dutch colony grew slowly, as the patroon system 
did not lead to the building up of small homes. Some of 
the Dutch governors had little or no ability, while others 
were tyrannical. 

62. The Rise and Fall of New Sweden. — In 1638 the 
king of Sweden sent out a company of Dutchmen to found 
a settlement on the Delaware. The new colony was named 

1 Patroons (pa-trobnz'). 



THE MIDDLE COLONIES 



6l 




New Sweden. After some years the Dutch of New Nether- 
land claimed this as their territory and sent a small body 
of soldiers against it. New Sweden sur- 
rendered (1655) and was added to New 
Netherland. Nine years later it became 
the property of the duke of York. 

63. The Dutch lose New Netherland.— 
All this territory which had been settled by 
the Dutch was claimed by England through 
the discovery of John Cabot. The king of 
England now gave it to his brother, the 
duke of York, and a fleet of four war ships 
was sent to take possession. 

This fleet appeared before New Amster- 
dam in August, 1664. At that time Peter 
Stuyvesant ^ was governor. He was a quick- 
tempered and 
tyrannical man, 
who had no sym- 
pathy with ideas 
that might give 
the people the 
right to govern 
themselves. The 
settlers of New 
Amsterdam 
were tired of the 

rule of '* Hard- 

Peter Stiyvesant 
Headed Peter,' 

as they called him. When, therefore, the English ordered 

1 Stuyvesant (strve-sant). 




62 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Stuyvesant to give up the city the citizens begged him to do 
so. He declared he would never surrender, but seeing how 
helpless the city was before the English war ships, he cried : 
"Well, let it be so ! I had rather be carried to my grave." 
The flag of Holland was lowered and that of England was 
raised over the Uttle fort. The name New Amsterdam was 
changed to New York. 

The English now had an unbroken line of colonies and 
controlled the Atlantic seaboard from the French territory 
of Canada to that of the Spaniards in Florida. 

64. Dongan's Assembly ; the Charter of Liberties. — 
Nine years later England and Holland were again at war, 

and a Dutch fleet came into 
the harbor of New York and 
captured the city. The 
Dutch held it for almost a 
year, when, through the 
treaty of peace, the colony 
was again turned over to the 
English. 

Of the governors who now 
ruled the colony one of the 
ablest was Thomas Dongan. 
Under him the colonists 
secured the first grant of 
popular government. He 
called an assembly which was 
1683. This assembly passed the 
This charter granted trial by jury 




Governor Dongan 

held in New York in 
Charter of Liberties. ^ 



1 In 1683 Dongan granted a new charter to the city of New York, and 
in the following year made an important treaty with the Iroquois. 



THE MIDDLE COLONIES 63 

and the right to landholders to elect town officers. It also 
allowed freedom of worship to all the settlers. 

In 1685 the duke of York became king of England. He 
refused to approve the Charter of Liberties, and a royal 
governor was sent to rule New York, which remained a 
royal province until the Revolution. 

SUMMARY 

1. Henry Hudson explored the Hudson river in 1609 and gave to 
the Dutch the possession of the territory. 

2. The colony was named New Netherland. 

3. New Amsterdam was founded in 1626 on the island of Man- 
hattan. It was the site of the present city of New York. 

4. The English captured the colony in 1664 and changed its name 
to New York. 

5. In 1683 Governor Dongan called the first legislative assembly. 
This assembly passed the Charter of Liberties, by which religious 
freedom and trial by jury were granted to the colony. 

NEW JERSEY (1617) 

65. The Grant of New Jersey. — As early as 161 7 the 
Dutch had built a fortified post on the west shore of the 
Hudson river opposite New Amsterdam. They named it 
Bergen after the town of that name in Holland. 

Half a century later (1664), when the Dutch lost New 
Amsterdam, the duke of York gave to two of his friends, 
Berkeley ^ and Carteret,^ a tract of land between the Hudson 
and Delaware rivers. 

1 Berkeley (berk'li). 

2 Carteret (kar'ter-et). Berkeley and Carteret had befriended the duke of 
York and his brothers when they were compelled to flee from England in the 
revolution of 1649. Their father, King Charles I, was at this time beheaded. 



64 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

The territory thus given was named New Jersey in 
honor of Carteret, who had been governor of the island of 
Jersey in the English channel. In 1673 the Dutch once 
more seized New York, and New Jersey passed under the 
rule of Holland. In the following year, however, by a 
treaty of peace. New Jersey was restored to the English. 

Settlers from New Haven laid 
(1665) the foundations of Newark. 
Like the colony of New Haven from 
which the settlers came, Newark was 
ruled only by members of the Con- 
gregational Church, and the strict 
laws of Moses were in force in the 
colony. 

66. East Jersey and West Jersey. — 
Not long afterward New Jersey was 
divided into East and West Jersey. 
From the beginning there was 
trouble between the proprietors and the colonists. In 1674 
Berkeley sold West Jersey, his share of the colony, to the 
Quakers. 1 On the death of Carteret (1682) the Quakers, 
among whom was William Penn, bought East Jersey. They 
thus secured the whole colony. 

They did not possess it long, however, as a few years 
later (1702) it was surrendered to the crown of England 
and was joined to the province of New York and New 
England. It became a separate province in 1738 and was 
ruled by a governor appointed by the king. 

1 The Quakers were a new sect which had recently arisen in England. 
They were opposed to all forms in worship, and to titles or honors. They 
were also strongly opposed to war and slavery. 






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THE MIDDLE COLONIES 



65 



SUMMARY 

1. In 161 7 the Dutch erected a fort at Bergen on the west shore 
of the Hudson. 

2. The duke of York (in 1664) granted to two of his friends, 
Berkeley and Carteret, all the territory between the Hudson and 
Delaware rivers. 

3. New Jersey was divided into East Jersey and West Jersey. 
The whole colony was finally purchased by the Quakers. It was later 
united to New York. 

4. New Jersey became in 1738 a separate province under a royal 
governor. 



PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE (1681) 

67. The Founding of Pennsylvania. — William Penn was 
one of the Quakers interested in the purchase of West 
Jersey from Berkeley. ^ 

The Quakers, or "Friends," 
as they called themselves, were 
at this time suffering in England 
for their religious opinions. 
Some had been put into prison ; 
others had been flogged. 

William Penn was the son of 
Admiral Penn of the British 
navy. The English government 
owed the admiral about eighty 
thousand dollars. 

When his father, Admiral Penn, died, William Penn 
suggested that a tract of land in America might be given 

1 The picture represents Penn in armor, as he appeared in his youth 
when fighting in the wars of Holland. When Penn became a Quaker he 
was, of course, strongly opposed to war. 




William Penn 



66 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

to him by the king. This would, he said, balance the debt. 
King Charles the Second gladly accepted the offer, and 
granted to Penn a large tract, about forty thousand square 
miles in extent, west of the Delaware river. Penn named 
it Sylvania,! *' woodland," but the king placed Penn's name 
before the word and called it Pennsylvania, or " Penn's 







Penn's Treaty with the Indians 

woodland." The rent that Penn had to pay to the king for 
this immense tract was two beaver skins a year. Three ship- 
loads of colonists were at once sent to the new colony, where 
one hundred acres of land could be bought for forty dollars. 
68. Philadelphia founded, 1682. — Near the junction 
of the Delaware and Schuylkill ^ rivers Penn laid out (1682) 

1 Sylvania (sil-va'ni-a). ^ Schuylkill (skoolTcil). 



THE MIDDLE COLONIES 6/ 

his capital, to which was given the name Philadelphia, ''city 
of brotherly love." There was an old elm tree where the 
Indians were accustomed to gather and smoke the peace 
pipe before the English came. Here Penn met (1682) the 
chiefs of the neighboring tribes, and under the spreading 
branches of the old tree made a treaty with them. He 
bought from them sufficient land for the site of his future 
great city, in return for which the Indians received red 
lead, bells, cloth, guns, kettles, knives, scissors, and many 
other articles. 

The Indian chief, as he accepted these articles, said, 
" We will live in peace with Penn and his children as long 
as the sun and moon remain in the sky." 

69. The Treaty Belt ; Purchase of Delaware. — As a 
record of this treaty a belt of wampum was made by the 




The Treaty Belt 

Indians. This belt still exists and shows an Indian and a 
white man standing hand in hand. 

When the English, ninety-five years later, captured Phil- 
adelphia in the War of the Revolution, the British general 
placed a guard beside the old treaty tree, that it might not 
be injured. 

Penn's territory nowhere touched on the sea. It was on 
the Delaware river, and entrance to this river might be 
prevented by New Jersey or Maryland. 



68 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

As he was anxious to have a direct outlet on the ocean, 
Penn purchased from the duke of York the territory now 
included in the state of Delaware and added it to Penn- 
sylvania. After 1703 the people of Delaware elected an 
assembly of their own, but they had the same governor 
as Pennsylvania. 

SUMMARY 

1. Pennsylvania was given to William Penn by King Charles the 
Second of England in 1681. 

2. In 1682 the city of Philadelphia was founded and the famous 
treaty made with the Indians. 

3. Delaware was purchased from the duke of York by Penn to 
give the Pennsylvania colony a direct outlet to the sea. 

Date to be remembered : 

1609, the beginning of the Dutch colonies in America through 
the voyage of Henry Hudson. 



CHAPTER VII 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 



THE PLYMOUTH AND MASSACHUSETTS BAY 
COLONIES 

70. The Plymouth Colony, 1620. — In 1620 a vessel 
named the Mayflower sailed from England with about one 
hundred passengers. These passengers were called Pilgrims, 
or wanderers. They 
came to America to 
establish new homes. 

By the laws of Eng- 
land of that day every 
one was required to 
attend the services of 
the Church of Eng- 
land, and heavy fines 
were placed on those 
who refused to do so. 
Taxes also had to be 
paid by all the people 

for the support of this church, whether they believed in 
its doctrines or not. 

The Pilgrims did not believe in certain teachings and 
ceremonies of the Church of England, and left the country. 
They went to Holland, and after a few years decided to 
settle in America. 

69 




The " Mayflower 



JO PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 




A Pilgrim 



The Mayflower reached Cape Cod after a stormy passage 
of nine weeks. While Miles Standish and his band of sol- 
diers were looking for a site for a settle- 
ment, the little band of pioneers drew up 
in the cabin of the Mayflower a plan of 
government, or compact, and all agreed 
to obey any laws that might be made for 
the good of the colony. 

71. Founding of Plymouth ; the Town 
Meeting. — The colonists now landed 
(December 21, 1620), built log houses, 
and thus laid the foundations of the town 
of Plymouth. 

The winter was intensely cold, and so 
many of the colonists perished that when 
the warm spring days arrived only half of the settlers were 
alive. The colony grew 
slowly. From time to time 
the colonists met together 
to talk over their needs. At 
these gatherings the free- 
men voted on every ques- 
tion. This gathering was 
called the town meeting. 

72. The Indians help the 
Colonists. — The Indians 
were friendly with the col- 
onists from the beginning, 
and taught them many things, as, for instance, the value of 
Indian corn and how to plant it with a fish or two in each 
of the hills to fertilize it ; also how to kill trees by girding 



Cape Cod 




THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES yi 

them. This was done by making a deep cut in the bark 
around the tree. This prevented the sap from coming up 
and the tree soon died. The sunUght could then shine 
on the growing crops, and the colonists were spared the 
severe labor of cutting down the forests. 

The Indian also taught the white man how to build the 
birch-bark canoe, and also to make the snowshoe and ■ the 
moccasin. 

73. Treaty with Massasoit ; the Challenge of Canonicus. 
— Soon after the arrival of the Pilgrims, an Indian who 
had learned to speak a little English from Maine fishermen 




An Indian Peace 
Pipe 



came to the colony with greetings from his chief. This 
chief was named Massasoit. ^ The colonists invited Massa- 
soit to visit them, and he soon afterward came with his 
painted and feathered warriors. The peace pipe was smoked 
and a treaty was made with him. For fifty years this treaty 
was kept. 

There lived in Rhode Island at this time a tribe of Indians 
called the Narragansetts. Their chief, Canonicus ^ by name, 
thought his warriors were powerful enough to destroy the 
English settlers. As a challenge he sent a bundle of arrows 
wrapped in a rattlesnake skin. The colonists promptly filled 
the skin with powder and shot and sent it back to him. 

1 Massasoit (mas'sa-soit). ^ Canonicus (ka-non'i-kus). 



72 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



When Canonicus saw that the white men were not in the 
least afraid, he decided it was best to leave them in peace. 
74. Massachusetts 1 Bay Colony, 1630. — Other English- 
men now left their native land for America. These men 
were called Puritans because they wished to change, or, as 

they said, "purify," 
the Church of Eng- 
land of many of its 
ceremonies. 

A settlement was 
made (1628) at Sa- 
lem,2 and two years 
later (1630) Boston 
was founded. 

The Puritans came 
in large numbers and 
brought with them 
horses, sheep, and 
cattle. Their mode of 
life was very severe. 
There were few amuse- 
ments which were 
allowed to either 
young or old. 

In the church which was here established each parish 
was an independent, self-governing body. It was called 
Congregational,'^ that is, a church managed by the congre- 
gation, or members. No one but a member of this church 

1 Massachusetts (mas-a-chu'sets), an Indian word meaning " the great 
hills." 

- Salem (sa'lem), a Bible name meaning peace, 
3 Congregational (kon-gre-ga'shun-al). 




The Indian Challenge 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 73 

could vote or hold office in the colony. Severe laws were 
passed against those who refused or failed to attend the 
Puritan church. Under these laws the Quakers were sent 
to jail, tortured, and even hanged, while others were driven 
away. Catholics were forbidden to enter the colony under 
severe penalties. The Episcopalian ^ form of worship was 
also prohibited. 

Despite the severe laws of the Puritans the colony grew, 
and Plymouth was later (1692) added to it. 

SUMMARY 

1. Plymouth was founded by the Pilgrims in 1620. 

2. The Puritans established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Salem 
was begun in 1628, and Boston was founded in 1630. 

3. In 1692 Plymouth was joined to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE (1623), MAINE (1629), VERMONT (1791) 

75. The Grant to Mason and Gorges. — In 1622 a grant 
of land w^as secured by Mason and Gorges ^ from the Council 
for New England. This territory stretched from the Merri- 
mac^ to the Kennebec^ rivers. Colonists were sent out and 
Portsmouth and Dover were founded. In a few years ( 1 629) 
the territory was divided. The eastern section was called 
Maine. Here the city of Portland was founded in 1632. 

Massachusetts claimed Maine as a part of her territory 
and it was later given to her. In 1820 Maine was separated 
from Massachusetts and was admitted, as we shall see, into 
the Union as a state. 

1 The Episcopalian (e-pis-ko-pa'li-an) is the form of worship according 
to the Church of England. ^ Merrimac (mer'i-mak). 

'- Gorges (gor'jez). * Kennebec (ken-e-bek')- 



^4 PRIMARY HISTORY OP^ THE UNITED STATES 



76. New Hampshire and Vermont. — After the division of 
territory between Mason and Gorges the western part 
of the grant was named New Hampshire for Hampshire 
county in England where Gorges had hved. Massachusetts 
laid claim to New Hampshire, and it was several times 
united to that colony and separated from it. In 1679 it 
became a royal province, and the 




king of England thereafter sent gov- 
ernors to rule it. 

The territory between New Hamp- 
shire and New York was claimed by 
both of these colonies. It was called 
Vermont from the beautiful green 
mountains that cover the state. A 
settlement was made in Brattleboro 
in 1724. 

The king of England decided in 
1765 that Vermont belonged to New 
York. The settlers, under the lead of Ethan Allen, refused 
to yield up their homes, and serious trouble arose when the 
agents from New York came to take possession of the terri- 
tory. It was not until 1791, when Vermont was admitted 
to the Union, that peace was restored. 



SUMMARY 

1. The territory between the Merrimac and Kennebec rivers was 
granted to Mason and Gorges in 1622. 

2. The territory was divided in 1629. The eastern part was called 
Maine ; the western, New Hampshire. 

3. Vermont was claimed by New York and New Hampshire. It 
formed part of New York until 1 791, when it was admitted to the Union. 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 



75 



CONNECTICUT (1634) 

77. The Founding of Connecticut. — The Dutch claimed 
the territory around the Connecticut river and began to 
build a fort on the site of Hartford (see p. 58). 

The Puritans also claimed this country. They sent a 
fleet which sailed up the river to a point above the D.utch 
fort, where they 
founded Windsor 
(1634). Other 
Puritans built a 
stronghold at the 
mouth of the river 
and named it Say- 
brook. 

At this time 
many of the set- 
tlers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony desired to secure homes 
in territory that was not under the stern rule of the Puritans. 

78. Settlement of Hartford; the New Haven Colony.-^ 
In the Puritan colony the settlers had to pay taxes and go 
into battle against the Indians. They declared, therefore, 
that they should have the right to vote even if they were not 
church members. In 1636 a large body of these colonists 
set out from Cambridge. With their families, household 
goods, "and cattle they walked across the present state of 
Massachusetts until they reached the banks of the Con- 
necticut. Here they founded the town of Hartford. Other 
settlers came and built up Wethersfield. 

The union of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield in 
1639 was the beginning of the colony of Connecticut. 




76 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Another group of Puritans of the strictest type founded 
the colony of New Haven in 1638. As in Massachusetts, 
only church members could vote. Twenty-four years later 
(1662) this New Haven colony was joined to Connecticut. 

79. The New England Union, or Confederation. — The 
New England colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, 
Connecticut, and New Haven formed a union in 1643. It 
was planned to ward off further attacks by the Indians, 
to prevent the Dutch from coming into the valley of the 
Connecticut, and to stop the southward march of the 
French. This union lasted for forty years and helped to 
pave the way for the later union of the colonies against 
England. 

SUMMARY 

1. Settlers who were dissatisfied with Puritan rule in Massachu- 
setts settled Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford. 

2. These colonies united in 1639 and formed the colony of 
Connecticut. 

3. The New Haven colony was founded in 1638 by Puritans of 
the strictest type. 

4. In 1662 the New Haven colony was added to the colony of 
Connecticut by the king of England. 

5. The colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and 
New Haven formed a union in 1643 for defense against the Indians. 
This union lasted for forty years. 



RHODE ISLAND (1636) 

80. The Flight of Roger Williams. — Among the colonists 
of Salem was a young minister named Roger Williams. 
He boldly declared that the land did not belong either to 
the colony or to the king of England, but to the Indians, and 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 



77 



should be purchased from them. He also said that there 
should be no law to compel a person to go to a church in 
whose teachings he did not believe. 

The Puritans would not allow ideas like these to spread 
in their colony, and Williams was at once ordered to return 
to England. Instead of doing so, he fled to the forest. 



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Roger Williams and the Indians 

Though it was the depth of a cold New England winter, he 
pushed on through the pathless woods and found shelter in 
the wigwam of the Indian chief, Massasoit. 

81. Founding of Providence. — In 1636 Roger Williams 
founded at the head of Narragansett bay a town to which 
he gave the name Providence. The land for the settlement 
was purchased from the Indians. 

Like Lord Baltimore, Roger Williams wished to found a 
colony where men would not be troubled for their religious 



y^ PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 




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belief. He refused to drive out the Quakers. This led the 
Puritans of the New England colonies to look with great 
disfavor on Rhode Island. 

The towns of Portsmouth and Newport were founded a 
few years later. In 1644 Roger Williams obtained a new 
charter, which 
united all the 
towns under the 
name of Provi- 
dence Plantations. 
Eighteen years 
later another 
charter was given 
to the colonists, 
and under it 
Rhode Island lived for one hundred and eighty years, until 
it was necessary to change it in 1842 to give greater rights 
of suffrage to the people. 

Roger Williams's policy of toleration was followed for 
many years. In 1719, however, the right to vote was taken 
from the Catholics and the Jews, but it was restored sixty- 
five years later. 

SUMMARY 

1. Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams, who had been 
exiled from Massachusetts. 

2. In 1636 Providence was founded. 

Dates to be remembered : 

1620, the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. 
1636, Roger Williams founded a colony at Providence on the basis 
of religious freedom. 

1643, the formation of the New England Confederation. 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 79 



GENERAL REVIEW 



The thirteen colonies were founded in the 


following order 


I. 


Virginia, 1607. 




2. 


New Netherland, or New " 


York, 1614. 


3- 


New Jersey, 161 7. 




4- 


Plymouth, 1620. 




5- 


New Hampshire, 1623. 




6. 


Massachusetts Bay Colon} 


', 1630. 


7. 


Connecticut, 1634. 




8. 


Maryland, 1634. 




9- 


Rhode Island, 1636. 




10. 


Delaware (New Sweden), 


1638. 


II. 


North and South Carolina 


, 1663. 


12. 


Pennsylvania, 1681. 




13- 


Georgia, 1733. 





CHAPTER VIII 

COLONIAL INDIAN WARS 

82. The Pequots, 1637. — In eastern Connecticut lived 
a powerful tribe of Indians named Pequots.^ From time 
to time they went on the warpath and put the settlers to 




The Ati'ack on the Pequot Fort 

death with terrible tortures. The colonists at last resolved 
to put an end to this warfare. 

With a band of friendly Indians the Connecticut and 
Massachusetts soldiers marched (1637) against the Pequot 

1 Pequots (pe'kwots). 
80 



COLONIAL INDIAN WARS 



8i 



stronghold. This was a fort surrounded by a wooden fence. 
Here were gathered seven hundred members of the tribe. 

On a bright moonUght night the colonists silently drew 
near. The sleeping Pequots did not dream of danger until 
burning torches were thrown over the high fence, or palisade 
that surrounded the fort. The huts became at once a mass 
of flames, and as the warriors rushed out they were killed 
by the bullets of the 
English or tomahawked 
by the Indians. Of all 
within the fort only five 
escaped. The Pequot 
nation was utterly de- 
stroyed, and New Eng- 
land had no further 
Indian wars for thirty- 
eight years. 

83. '^King" Philip's 
War, 1674. — When the 
next war broke out in 

1674 it spread through Rhode Island, Connecticut, and 
Massachusetts. This was called "King" Philip's War. 
Philip was a son of the old friend of the English, Massasoit. 
His real name was Metacom, but he was called Philip by 
the English. 

Philip believed the steady flow of settlers into the coun- 
try would deprive the Indians of all their lands. He refused 
to acknowledge himself as a subject of the colonial govern- 
ment. When ordered to come to Plymouth he sent this 
message : " I will not treat with a subject. As I am a king, 
I will only treat with the king. When he comes I am ready." 




PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Philip quietly moved around among the tribes and at last 
aroused them to fury. Rushing on the helpless settlements, 
they burned over fifty towns and put to death with horrible 
cruelties over a thousand people. Neither age nor sex was 
spared by the savages. 

For three years this terrible warfare lasted. Philip's 
wife and little son were at last taken prisoners and sold as 




An Attack on the Colonists 



slaves in the West Indies. When he heard this Philip said, 
" My heart is broken ; I am now ready to die." Philip was 
soon killed, and the Indian power was broken forever. 



SUMMARY 

1. In 1637 an Indian war was waged against the English colonies by 
the Pequots. It ended in the utter destruction of the Pequot nation. 

2. " King" Philip's War was begun in 1674. It ended in the death 
of Philip and the overthrow of the Indians. 



CHAPTER IX 



FRANCE AND ENGLAND AT WAR FOR AMERICA; 
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 

84. King William's War,i 1 689-1 697. — A war between 
England and France could not be long delayed when, as 
we have seen (p. 40), the French began to build forts from 
Quebec to New Orleans. These forts, stretching in general 
from north to south, were 
built at points that would 
prevent the westward 
march of the English.^ 
They were like a bow of 
which the English colonies 
would have been the string. 
In those days the sword 
alone could decide the con- 
test for this great territory. 

The war came sooner 
perhaps than was ex- 
pected. In 1689 the first 
of the so-called " French 

and Indian wars " began. Down the lakes and rivers and 
along the highways from Canada poured the French and 
their Indian allies. They attacked and burned town after 

1 This was named from William the Third, king of England. 

2 The most important forts were Crown Point on lake Champlain, Detroit, 
Mackinaw, St. Joseph, Vincennes, and Fort Chartres on the Mississippi. 

83 




North America before the 
French Wars (1689) 



84 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

town, among them Schenectady/ the outpost of the New 
York colony ; Dover, New Hampshire ; and Haverhill, 
Massachusetts. 

The English in turn sent savages northward. In the 
opening year of the war fifteen hundred Iroquois went 
north from New York into Canada. Without a moment's 




iverhiU FIRST THREE FRENCH WARS 

^Boston 



warning they burst on the town of Lachine,^ six miles 
from Montreal, and men, women, and children were scalped 
or burned at the stake. 

After eight years of this terrible warfare peace was 
declared in 1697. 

85. Queen Anne's War ,3 1702-17 13. — After a few years 
of peace war again broke out. Once more the Indians swept 
through the towns, burning them and killing the colonists 
or dragging them into captivity. 

In one of these raids a band of French and Indians 
traveled three hundred miles in the fearful cold of a New 
England winter to Deerfield on the northwest border of 

1 Schenectady (ske-nek'ta-de) 2 Lachine (la-sheen') 

3 In Europe this contest was known as the War of the Spanish Succession. 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 



85 



Massachusetts. Just before dawn the Indians fell on the 
town and with horrible cruelty killed men, women, and 
children. Others were taken captive and led through the 
ice and snow to the north. The captives that showed 
signs of weakness and were unable to keep up with the 
march were quickly cut down with the tomahawk and 
left to die on the snow. For eleven years this terrible con- 
dition of war lasted. 




As a result of the 
contest the French 
lost Acadia. Its name 
was changed to Nova 
Scotia. Port Royal, 
which had been taken 
by the English in this 
war, was named An- 
napolis. 

86. King George's 
War,i 1 744-1 748. — For twenty-one years there was peace 
between France and England, when war was again declared 
in 1744. The American colonists made up an expedition 
to attack Louisburg, This strongly fortified post had been 
built on the southeast side of Cape Breton island, where it 
could command the gulf of St. Lawrence. 

The French had spent millions of dollars on the fortifica- 
tions of Louisburg, till it was thought to be the Gibraltar of 
America, but despite the strongest resistance the fort fell 
(1745) before the colonial troops. 

Three years later, on the signing, of the treaty of peace, 
England gave back Louisburg to the French. 

1 In Europe this was called the War of the Austrian Succession. 



86 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

87. The Beginning of the Seven Years* War in America.^ 

— Up to this time the struggle between England and 
France had been on the whole favorable to France. The 
French pushed on with their work of building forts along 
the Great Lakes and in the valleys of the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers. The French soldiers as they moved 
along fastened to the trees tin sheets on which were stamped 
the royal arms of France. At the foot of the trees they 
planted plates of lead or pewter, suitably engraved. 

France intended to shut out the English colonists from the 
rich territory west of the Appalachian ^ mountains. In fact, 
western New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were to be 
the boundary between English and French possessions. 

88. George Washington and the French. — When the 
governor of Virginia heard of the movements of the 
French he sent George Washington, a young Virginian, to 
order them to stop building forts. Washington at once set 
out ; but his journey was full of peril, as he had to cross 
rivers full of floating ice and to guard against hostile Indians. 

The French soldiers had built a fort on the site of the 
present city of Erie, and two others farther south on the 
Allegheny ^ river. 

The French commander listened politely to Washington's 
message and referred it to Quebec, in the meantime fortifying 
more strongly than ever his positions. 

89. Fort Duquesne,* 1754. — The governor of Virginia 
now sent a small force to build a fort at the junction of the 

1 The Seven Years' War in Europe (i 756-1 763) was fought by Austria 
against Prussia. All Europe was soon involved in the contest, and the war 
in America was merely an incident in this great struggle. 

2 Appalachian (ap-pa-la'chi-an). ^ Allegheny (are-ga-ni). 
* Duquesne (dii'kan''). 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 87 

Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, where Pittsburg now 
stands. This was the gateway to the West. 

After some weeks of toil the Virginians were surprised 
and driven off by the French, who finished (1754) the fort 
and named it Fort Duquesne. 

Washington was sent with troops to drive out the French, 
but he was attacked at Fort Necessity and forced to sur- 




Washington crossing the Allegheny 

render (July 4, 1754). The last great war between the 
English and the French in America had begun. ^ 

1 In this year (1754) a congress of the Enghsh colonies met at Albany 
to form plans for union against the French and Indians. The author of 
the plan was Benjamin Franklin. The Congress was not successful, but it 
prepared the way for the later congresses which established the United States. 



88 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



On the side of the English were the colonists along the 
Atlantic seaboard. The Iroquois Indians of New York 
joined them. The other tribes throughout America joined 
the French. 

90. Braddock's Defeat, i755« — England now saw that 
her territory in the New World was in danger. Forces were 
hurried to America under General Edward Braddock, a 
veteran soldier. 

Braddock knew nothing about Indian warfare and held in 
contempt the abilities of the colonists and the Indians in 
war. When he was told that his troops were liable to meet 
a skillful foe Braddock replied, "These savages may be 




6 50 100 23o 



indeed a formidable enemy to your raw militia, but upon 
the king's regular and disciplined troops, sir, it is impossible 
that they should make any impression." 

With a force of fourteen hundred men Braddock moved 
forward. The British in their bright red coats and close 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 



89 



ranks pushed onward through the forest until suddenly one 
morning (July 9, 1755) Braddock was surprised by the 
rattle of musketry. From every side the deadly bullets 
poured in on the British troops, who fell in great numbers. 




The Death of Braddock 



The French and Indians, hiding behind the trees, could 
not be seen, while the English in solid ranks were a target 
for their enemies. 

In vain Washington urged Braddock to break ranks and 
allow his men to fight behind stumps and trees. 

Braddock fell, mortally wounded, and Washington with 
great skill led back the broken ranks over the mountains 
to Virginia. 

91. Expulsion of the Acadians, 1755. — During the next 
three years the French won many victories. The English, 



90 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



however, had taken Acadia. Here Hved many thousands 
of French farmers, a happy and contented people. 

On the ground that they were plotting against the flag 
of England, the English resolved to expel them from their 
lands. The defenseless people were seized (1755) by 
treachery, placed on boats, and scattered along the Atlantic 
seaboard. Some even reached the settlements of Louisiana. 
There are in history few measures as cruel as this 
wholesale and heartless expulsion of the Acadians.^ 
92. The Campaign against Quebec. — The tide 
turned for the English in 1758, after years of fail- 
ure. The great fortress of Louisburg fell and 
Fort Duquesne was taken. It was named Fort 
Pitt, and later Pittsburg, in 
honor of William Pitt, who now 
directed the war. 

The great struggle between 
the English and French came 
to a close with the fall of 
Quebec. This city stood on a 
hill, three hundred and fifty 
feet above the St. Lawrence river. It was the most strongly 
fortified city in America. 

An English army under General Wolfe lay encamped 
before the city for two months. It was useless to try to 
take it by storming up the heights, as heavy guns were 
planted everywhere. 

93. Fall of Quebec, September 13, i759- — On a dark 
night in September, 1759, Wolfe and seventeen hundred 

1 Longfellow has told their piteous tale in his beautiful poem of 
Evangeline. 





91 



92 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

men quietly stepped into small boats and landed at the foot 
of a steep bluff. Silently they moved up the narrow path- 
way, until at daybreak the entire English army was drawn 




The Battle ok Quebec 

up in battle line on the Plains of Abraham, — the level land 
behind the city of Quebec. 

When Montcalm,! the brave French commander, saw the 
British troops, his face became troubled. "This is a very 

1 Montcalm (mont-kam'). 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS 



93 



serious affair," he said. The French marched at once against 
the Enghsh, but were defeated. Montcalm and Wolfe were 
both killed, and Quebec fell into the hands of the English. 

The fall of Quebec soon brought an end to the war. 
After seventy years the struggle between France and 
England had ended in the defeat of the French. By the 
treaty of peace the king 
of France gave Canada to 
England. Spain ceded 
Florida to England to 
secure the return of 
Havana, which had been 
taken during the war. 

England now owned 
the territory from the 
Atlantic ocean to the 
Mississippi river. From 
that river to the Pacific 
ocean the country be- 
longed to Spain. 

94. The Indian War under Pontiac, 1763. — The Indians 
saw with the greatest alarm the fall of French power in 
America. A daring Ottawa chief named Pontiac^ planned 
a union of all the tribes of the West against the English 
settlers. 

On a certain day (May 7, 1763) the Indian tribes were 
ordered to attack the English forts throughout the West. 
Eight forts were captured on that day, in most cases by 
surprise, and the defenders were tomahawked with savage 
cruelty. Fort Pitt, Niagara, and Detroit were too strong, 

1 Pontiac (p6n'ti-ak). 




North America at Close of 
French Wars (1763) 



94 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

however, to be taken. Pontiac had hoped to capture Detroit 
by treachery. He planned to enter the fort as if to talk of 
peace, and in the midst of the council his men would sud- 
denly fall upon the officers and kill them, while the Indians 
would pour in through the open gates. 

An Indian girl who had learned of the plot warned the 
English. When Pontiac arrived at the fort with his warriors 
they carried blankets under which were hidden muskets 
which had been cut off short. He saw, however, as he 
entered, the English soldiers drawn up in line with their 
guns loaded. 

Without showing in any way his surprise and disappoint- 
ment, Pontiac asked calmly, '' Why do I see my father's 
young men standing in the streets with their guns ? " 

" I have ordered them under arms for exercise and dis- 
cipline," replied the commander of the fort. 

When he saw his plan had failed, Pontiac withdrew and 
at once led his warriors against the fort. He was unable to 
capture it, and after a long siege he marched away. His 
plans had failed and he was soon after murdered. 

SUMMARY 

There were four wars between France and England in America : 

1. King William's War, 1689-1697. 

2. Queen Anne's War, 1702-17 13. 

3. King George's War, 1 744-1 748. 

4. French and Indian War, 1754-1763. 

As a result of these wars France lost all her possessions in North 
America, the eastern half of which now belonged to England and the 
western half to Spain. 

Date to be remetnbered : 
1759, ^^"^^ f^^^ ^f Quebec. 



CHAPTER X 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



f^pipiapaf! 



iWlK 



95. The Stamp Act, 1765. — With the end of the war 
between France and England the colonists had nothing 
more to fear from the French. It was not long, however, 
before they had to face other dangers. 

The expenses of the war with France had been very 
great for England. As the war had been fought for the 
defense of "the colonies, the king of England said it was 
only just that the colonies should bear 
a part of the cost of that contest. 

There were two ways of securing the 
money for these expenses from the col- 
onists. A duty, or tax, was placed on 
goods that came to them from across 
the ocean. 

A second method was a stamp tax, 
by which tax the colonists were required 
to use stamped paper, made in England, 
for all legal documents or for newspapers. The amount of 
the tax was not large, but the colonists refused to use the 
stamped paper. They said they were ready to pay their 
share of the expense of the French wars, but all taxes must 
be voted by their own colonial assemblies. Taxation without 
representation is tyranny, they declared, — a saying which 
became the watchword of the Revolution. 

95 




„, 1 SUILLI] 

iiiiiiitti.Miiiiiiiiiiiaa;;!iiiiii;iiiisiiiiiiiii 



A British Stamp 



96 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

96. The Unjust Laws of England. — There was another 
reason for the ill feeling that had arisen against England. 
The merchants of that country for their own selfish pur- 
poses had caused the government to pass laws that were 
very unjust to the colonies. Under these laws the colonists 
could only buy from England and sell to England. They 
were forbidden to make articles from iron, to set up ma- 
chinery, to weave woolen cloth, or to even make hats. 




The Boston Tea Party 



For the goods which came from the mother country 
the colonists were charged the highest prices by the English 
merchants. On the other hand, as they could sell only to 
England, these same merchants tried to give them as little 
as possible for their tobacco, rice, indigo, and other products. 

97. Repeal of the Stamp Act, 1766. — When the news 
of the passage by Parliament of the Stamp Act reached the 
colonists, they adopted the best course to have it taken off. 
They refused to buy any goods from England. This action 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



97 



had an immediate effect. Many English laborers were with- 
out work, and English merchants saw their trade at once 
cut off. A petition was therefore sent to the British gov- 
ernment asking that the Stamp Tax be abolished. The 
petition was granted and the tax taken off, but another tax 
was placed on a few articles, such as paint, oils, glass, and 
tea. When the colonists still refused to buy from England, 
all these taxes were taken off except that on tea. 

98. The Boston Tea Party. — The tea tax was a small 
one, but the colonists said, " If the king can tax tea with- 
out our consent, he can tax everything." They therefore 
refused to buy it. 

Soon three vessels loaded with chests of tea came into 
Boston harbor. The colonists would not allow the cargo to 
be landed. At night (December i6, 1773) ninety citizens 
dressed as Indians boarded the vessels, chopped open the 
chests, three hundred and 
forty-two in number, and 
emptied the tea into the 
harbor. 1 

99. Port of Boston closed ; 
the First Continental Con- 
gress. — When the king of 
England heard what had 
been done in Boston he was 
very angry. He ordered the ^ ^ ^^ 

port to be closed. No ship was allowed to come in or to go 
out. It was a serious matter for the people of Boston, but 
the other colonies came to their aid and sent them supplies. 
Representatives of the colonies now met in the autumn of 

1 In Maryland the tea was burned by the colonists of Annapolis. 



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98 PRIMARY HISTORY OP^ THE UNITED STATES 



of 1774 in Carpenters' Hall, in Philadelphia. This meeting 
is known as the First Continental Congress. This Congress 
resolved to oppose the laws which they believed to be unjust. 
A petition was sent to the king asking him to remedy the 
wrong he was doing to his loyal subjects in America. 



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The Call to Arms 

The Congress voted to hold a second meeting at Phila- 
delphia in May, 1775. 

100. The War of the Revolution begins ; Battle of Lex- 
ington. — The commander of the British army in Boston 
heard that guns and powder were being collected by the 
colonists at Concord, a town about twenty miles from Bos- 
ton. He sent a body of troops to seize these supplies. The 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



99 



troops started at midnight (April i8, 1775), 
and had hardly begun their journey when 
the colonists were warned by signal lanterns 
hung in the tower of the old North Church. 
Paul Revere rode at a headlong pace through 
the towns, awakening the people. 

It was dawn when the British troops 
reached Lexington,^ where the patriots were 
drawn up in line of battle on the common. 
They were ordered to lay down their arms, 
and when they failed to do so were fired 
upon by the British soldiers. Sixteen pa- 
triots fell, killed or wounded. The War of 
the Revolution had begun (April 19, i775)- 

101. The Battle of Concord. — The British 
troops now pushed on toward Concord. The 

1 Lexington (lek'sing-ton). 



Old North 
Church 2 

2 The tablet on the 
tower front bears this 
legend : " The original lanterns 
of Paul Revere displayed in the 
steeple of .this church April i8, 
1775, warned the country of 
the march of the British troops 
to Lexington and Concord." 




Paul Revere's Ride 



L OF C. 



lOO PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



colonists poured in from all the neighboring villages and 
towns, and kept up a steady fire upon them from behind 
stone walls or trees. At Concord bridge another fight took 

place. The British 
now saw it was neces- 
sary to retreat. One 
by one soldiers were 
falling, and only by 
the aid of fresh troops 
were any left alive to 
reach Boston again. 

The armed colonists 
now gathered around 
Boston, and soon the 
British troops were 
shut up in the town. 
102. Battle of Bun- 
ker Hill, June 17, 
1775. — Overlooking 
Boston stands a 
height named Bunker 
Hill. The British 
were about to seize 
and fortify it when 
they saw, one June 
morning, that the 
Americans had taken 
possession of it. Gage, the British commander, at once 
ordered an attack upon the height. The troops advanced 
against the earthworks of the Americans. A sudden blaze 
of musketry flashed out, and the British line was swept away. 




The Minuteman 



I02 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



The king's troops made two more attempts to capture 
the hill, but were repulsed. The powder of the patriots 
now gave out and they were compelled to withdraw. 

The effect of the battle was very marked, as it proved 
that the colonists could hold their own 
against the trained regulars of England. 

103. Expedition against Quebec ; Em- 
bassy to Canada. — In the meantime the 
patriots tried to carry the war into Canada. 
A force under General Montgomery was 
sent by way of lake George and lake 
Champlain and quickly captured Montreal, 
Another small army under General Bene- 
dict Arnold went up the Kennebec river 
and through the swamps and forests of 
northern Maine. 

After terrible suffering Arnold reached 
Quebec. Here he was joined by Mont- 
gomery, and in a blinding snowstorm, on 
the last day of the year 1775, they attacked 
the city. The Americans were driven back 
with great loss, the brave Montgomery 
being among the killed. 
To win the Canadians to the cause of the United States, 
an embassy was sent to Canada. The members of this 
embassy were Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase, Charles 
Carroll of CarroUton, and his brother Reverend John Carroll, 
who was later the first Roman Catholic bishop in America. 
The embassy was not successful, as the Canadian people 
were afraid of the intolerant spirit that had been shown in 
the laws of most of the colonies. 




Bunker Hill 
Monument 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



103 



104. The Siege of Boston; Washington Commander in 
Chief. — The news of the battles at Lexmgton, Concord, 
and Bunker Hill spread rapidly through the colonies. The 
Second Continental Congress, then in session, appointed 
George Washington commander in chief. He hastened at 
once to Cambridge to take command. The troops were 
drilled, and cannon, guns, and a supply of powder secured. 

Early in March, 1776, 
Washington seized a posi- 
tion which overlooked the 
British camp as well as the 
town and harbor of Boston. 
The British saw the danger 
of their position and decided 
to abandon Boston. They 
sailed (March 17, 1776) for 
Halifax, taking with them 
many Tories.^ 

105. Attack on Sullivan *s 
Island ; Fort Moultrie. — 
The British now tried to 
seize the fort on Sullivans 
island which controlled the 
harbor of Charleston. The fort was built of palmetto logs, 
and above it waved the colors of South Carolina, — a blue 
flag with a crescent and star. Colonel Moultrie,^ a veteran 
of the Indian wars, was in command. 




Charles Carkull of Carkolltun 



1 There were many colonists who preferred the government of King 
George to independence. These people were called Tories, a name applied 
in England to those who always followed the wishes of the king. 

^ Moultrie (mo'tri). 



I04 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

The British fleet rained shells hour after hour on the 
small fort, but did little damage to the soft palmetto logs of 
which it was made. The accurate fire of the patriots, how- 
ever, damaged the British vessels very severely. Once the 
flagstaff of the fort was carried away and the flag fell outside. 




The V/ashington ElmI 



Sergeant Jasper at once leaped and secured it. He fast- 
ened it to the rammer of a cannon and escaped unharmed 
while the bullets flew around him. 

The British fleet was compelled to sail away, and the fort 
was named Fort Moultrie in honor of its brave defender. 

106. The Declaration of Independence. — The colonists at 
first had no thought of independence. They simply asked 
the king to remedy their wrongs by repealing the unjust 

1 Under this tree Washington first took command of the American 
army July 3, 1775. 



Ii 




Drafting the Declaration of Independence 



105 



:o6 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 




The Evacuatk^n of Boston 

laws. They now believed that the only hope for the future 
lay in freeing themselves from English rule. In the Second 

Continental Congress, 
therefore, this resolution 
was moved : 

'' Resolved: That these 
United Colonies are, and 
of right ought to be, free 
and independent states." 
A Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, largely written 
by Thomas Jefferson, was 
adopted July 4, 1776. 
The thirteen colonies were 
now thirteen independent 
states, and throughout the 
land the ringing of bells 




Hall 



Philadelphia 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



107 




and the booming of cannon announced the birth of a 
new nation. 

107. Battle of Brooklyn. — After leaving Boston the British 
collected their forces in New York, and General Washing- 
ton went there to meet them. His troops 
were intrenched on Brooklyn Heights, 
where they were attacked (August 27, 
1776). The Americans were defeated. 

Washington's entire army was in dan- 
ger. That night a heavy fog settled over 
the country. Taking advantage of it, 
Washington began to move his troops over the river to 
New York. 

A Tory saw the soldiers silently entering the boats and 
sent a negro to inform the British. The negro was arrested 
by a Hessian, 1 or German officer, who could not understand 
what the negro was telling him. The next morning an 
English officer heard the prisoner's story. An alarm was 
at once given, and the British rushed to the American 
camp. It was too late, as Washington and his army were 
safely in New York across the river. 

108. Capture and Execution of Nathan Hale Wash- 
ington took a position just north of New York. He was 
very anxious to know the plans of the British. A young 
captain named Nathan Hale offered to go across Long 
Island" sound and enter the British lines. 

In the disguise of a school teacher he crossed to Long 
Island and spent two weeks getting the information Wash- 
ington desired. As he was waiting for a boat to take him 
across to the American army he was discovered, and was 

1 Hessian (hesh''an). 



Io8 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

hanged as a spy. He died with the words on his hps, " I 
regret that I have but one Ufe to lose for my country." 

109. Washington's Retreat through New Jersey. — Wash- 
ington meanwhile had pushed northward. He crossed the 
Hudson river and entered New Jersey. The British forces 
were not far behind him, so he hastened onward that the 
Delaware might be between him and his pursuers. Every 
boat for miles up and down the river was seized, and when 




Washington crossing the Delaware 

the British troops reached it they could not get across. It 
was winter, however, and very cold. The British believed 
the river would soon freeze over and they could then easily 
cross on the ice. 

110. Battle of Trenton. — While they were waiting Wash- 
ington was alert. On Christmas night (1776), with his 
troops, he again crossed the Delaware, in the midst of the 
floating ice, to the Jersey side. Here at Trenton, nine miles 
away, was a division of the British army, for the most 
part Hessians. These Hessians were German soldiers who 
had been hired by the king of England to fight for him. 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



109 



The Hessians had been celebrating Christmas with 
feasting. Washington fell upon them at night in a heavy 
snowstorm, taking them entirely by surprise and utterly 
defeating them. Their commander was killed and one thou- 
sand prisoners were taken. After the battle Washington 
went across the 
river to Pennsyl- 
vania. 

111. Battle of 
Princeton ; Arrival 
of Lafayette. — 
Five days later 
Washington was 
once more in New 
Jersey. Slipping 
past Cornwallis, 
who hoped to trap 
him on the banks 
of the Delaware, 
Washington has- 
tened to Princeton, 




Marquis de Lafayette 



where he defeated (January 3, 1777) a portion of the British 
army before Cornwallis knew he had even left the Delaware. 

The Americans were now cheered by help from abroad. 
Lafayette,^ a French nobleman, arrived. From Germany 
came Baron De Kalb^and Baron Steuben. Downtrodden 
Poland sent the brave heroes Pulaski ^ and Kosciusko.* 

112. Burgoyne's Expedition ; Battle of Bennington. — To 
cut the colonies in two, if possible, and to secure the 



1 Lafayette (la-fa-yef). 

2 De Kalb (de kalb'). 



3 Pulaski (pu-las'ke). 

* Kosciusko (k6s-si-us'k5). 



no PRIMARY HISTORY OP^ THE UxNITED STATES 



Hudson river, a large army under Burgoyne ^ came down lake 
Champlain and lake George from Canada. The Americans 
blocked the highways by cutting down trees and allowing 
them to fall across the roads. Thus the march of Burgoyne 
was very slow and his supplies began to run out. 'Hearing 

_ that there were large 
stores of goods at Ben- 
nington, he sent a body 
of one thousand men to 
seize them. The patriots 
under General John 
Stark met the British 
and utterly defeated 
them (August i6, 1777). 
113. Burgoyne* s Sur- 
render; the French 
Alliance. — After this 
disaster Burgoyne moved 
southward to Saratoga. 
Here he was attacked by 
the Americans under 
Gates, Schuyler, Arnold, 
and Morgan. Seeing his position was hopeless, Burgoyne 
and his whole army surrendered (October 17, 1777). 

The surrender of Burgoyne was the turning point of the 
war. The king of France, through the efforts of Franklin, 
decided to send men, money, and ships to aid the cause of 
the patriots. 

114. The British capture Philadelphia. — In the mean- 
time the British had marched against Philadelphia, at that 

1 Burgoyne (bur-goin'). 




THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



III 



time the capital of the United States. Washington opposed 
them, but was defeated at Brandywine and later at German- 
town. Congress fled and Philadelphia fell into the hands 
of the British (September 
26, 1777). 

Washington and his 
army went to Valley 
Forge to spend the winter. 
Without proper food or 
clothing, the suffering 
of the Americans during 
the long, cold winter was 
intense. Many of the 
barefooted men left tracks 
of blood in the snow. 
Without blankets or even 
straw, many of the sol- 
diers were compelled to 
sleep on the bare ground. 
Nothing could have held 
the army together under 
these sufferings except the 
genius of Washington. 

When the news of the 
French alliance reached 
the British they left 
Philadelphia at once for Bennington Monument 

New York. On their retreat they were attacked (June 28, 
1778) by Washington at Monmouth and suffered great loss. 

115. The Opening of the West ; Daniel Boone. — Many 
years before the War of the Revolution, Daniel Boone, 




112 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



a famous hunter, had crossed the Allegheny mountains into 
Tennessee to hunt bears. He had many thrilling adventures 
with the Indians. 

He was only one of many brave pioneers who now pushed 
through the mountains and built log cabins in the fertile 
plains along the Ohio river. 

In 1775, at the outbreak of the Revolution, Boone led 
a party across the mountains into Kentucky, where they 
built a fort and a village of a few log houses. They named 

the settlement Boonesboro. 
The news of the battles of 
Lexington and Bunker Hill 
aroused these hardy woods- 
men and hunters, and they 
heartily joined in the great 
work of winning independ- 
ence. They drove back the 
Indians, attacked the British 
posts, and even dashed across 
the mountains to battle with 
the British regulars. 
One of the new settlements in Kentucky was called Lex- 
ington in honor of the famous battle. Other brave pioneers 
from North Carolina led by Robertson and Sevier ^ founded 
the state of Tennessee. 

116. George Rogers Clark^s Expedition. — Here and there 
throughout the vast territory that now forms the states of 
Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, the British held many forti- 
fied posts. From these forts they urged the Indians to go 
on the warpath against the American settlers. 

1 Sevier (se-veer'). 




THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



113 



George Rogers Clark planned an expedition to capture 
these forts, destroy the Indian alliance, and add the territory 
to his native colony of Virginia. 

With a force of one hundred and fifty men Clark sailed 
down the Ohio to a point forty miles from its mouth, where 
he landed. One hundred miles away was Fort Kaskaskia. 
The way there led through forests and swamps. 

Clark with his Uttle band pushed on through the pathless 
woods and silently drew near the fort. Soon they heard 




The AmericaiN Army at Valley Forge 



the sounds of music. A ball was in progress and all the 
soldiers were there. Clark's force silently surrounded the 
fort while he quietly walked in at the open gate and stood 
in the door watching the dancers. He had been there but a 
moment when an Indian, seeing him, gave the war whoop. 
In an instant all was confusion. The women screamed and 



114 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



the soldiers ran to get their guns. It was too late. " Go 
on with your dance," said Clark calmly; "but remember 
you now dance under the flag of Virginia." 

117. Capture of Vincennes. — Father Peter Gibault/ a loyal 
friend of the Americans, now went to Vincennes and per- 
suaded the French as well as the Catholic Indians to join 
Clark's colors. Without firing a shot Clark took the fort 
through Father Gibault's influence. 

When the British heard of Clark's victories they marched 
from Detroit and recaptured Vincennes. They held it but 

a short time. With only 
one hundred and thirty 
men Clark waded through 
the swamps and over- 
flowed lands of the 
Wabash and suddenly 
appeared before the fort 
once more. For twenty- 
four hours his men kept 
up a steady fire upon the 
British works. The Brit- 
ish saw that their posi- 
tion was now hopeless, and surrendered, hauling down their 
flag (February 23, 1779) amid great rejoicing by the sturdy 
frontiersmen who made up Clark's little army. 

One of the greatest results of Clark's victory was that 
at the close of the Revolution the Great Lakes instead 
of the Ohio river became our boundary on the north, and 
the Mississippi river marked the extent of our territory 
on the west. 

1 Gibault (zhe-bo'). 




Map showing the Forts at Detroit, 

Kaskaskia, and Vincennes, with 

Clark's Line of March 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



IIS 



118. The Treason of Arnold A dark hour now came ( 1 780) 

to the patriot cause. It was the treason of Benedict Arnold. 

Arnold had fought with great bravery at Quebec and 
had a large share in the defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga 




George Rogers Clark's Expedition 

In 1 780 Congress ordered Washington to rebuke him for 
some misconduct in Philadelphia, where he was in command. 
Washington obeyed the order, but made the reprimand as 
light as possible. 

Arnold believed he had been unjustly treated and planned 
to revenge himself on Congress. He asked W^ashington for 



Il6 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

the command of West Point, the strong military post on 
the Hudson. Washington, to show his confidence in him, 
granted his request. 

Arnold now prepared to yield up the fort to the English, 
who selected Major Andre ^ to carry out their part of the 
scheme. 

119. Capture and Execution of Andre. — On his return 
from a visit to Arnold, Andre was forced to travel some 
distance by land. As he was passing through the wooded 
district of Tarrytown^ he saw three men suddenly step 



Capture of Andre 

out from the roadside. With leveled muskets they ordered 
him to stop. He was searched, and the fatal papers were 
found in his boots. He offered large bribes to his captors 

1 Andre (an'dra). 

2 This section is beautifully described by Washington Irving in his 
Sketch Book. 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



117 




if they would let him go, but they 
refused and led him to the nearest 
military post. 

Andre was hanged as a spy, but 
Arnold escaped to a British war 
vessel. He was rewarded with a ^ 
commission in the British army 
and a large sum of money. 

Arnold later led an attack on 
Virginia and on his native state, 
Connecticut. He lived in Eng- 
land after the close of the war, 
and died there. As he lay on his 
death bed he called for his old J<^hn Barry 

Continental uniform, in which he had fought so gallantly at 
Quebec and Saratoga. As he put it on he said : " Let me 
die in this old uniform in which I fought my battles. May 
God forgive me for ever putting on any other." 

120. War on the Sea ; Barry and Jones. — At the begin- 
ning of the war the Ameri- 
cans had no ships with which 
to fight England, the great- 
est naval power of the world. 
Private vessels were soon 
fitted out. These cruisers 
attacked British vessels 
everywhere on the high seas. 
One of the most heroic 
of our naval leaders was Cap- 
tain John Barry, the father 
John Paul Jones of the American navy. At 




Il8 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

the outbreak of the war he was given command of the frigate 
LexmgtoUy named in honor of the famous battle of the 
Revokition. With this vessel Barry captured the British 
ship Edward, the first prize taken on the seas in the war. 

Barry fought throughout the Revolution, and was placed 
by Washington ( 1 794) at the head of the list of naval com- 
manders with the rank of commodore. 

Among Captain Barry's officers was John Paul Jones. 
With three vessels Jones sailed (1779) along the shores off 




the east coast of England. Here he met a large fleet of 
English merchant vessels in charge of two men-of-war. 
Though night was coming on, he at once attacked them. 
In the terrible struggle which followed the decks of the 
ships were covered with the dead and the dying. After a 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



119 



battle which lasted for four hours Jones won a complete 
victory. This battle had a startling effect on Europe. All 
eyes were now turned on the fearless little republic of the 
West that had defied England even at her own doors. 

121. The War in the South ; Savannah and Camden. — 
The British now turned their attention to the South. and 
were for a time very successful. They captured Savannah 
(December 29, 1778), and in an attempt to retake it the 
Americans under General Lincoln were driven back 
(October 9, 1779) with terrible losses. Among the killed 
was the brave Pulaski. 

Even greater disasters befell the Americans during the fol- 
lowing year. General Lincoln was surrounded in Charleston, 
South Carolina, and forced to surrender (May 12, 1780) his 
entire army of three thousand men 
together with great military stores. 

At Camden, South Carolina, Gen- 
eral Gates attacked the British army. 
He was defeated (August 16, 1780) 
with ■ great loss and saved himself 
only by headlong flight. 

122. Appointment of General 
Greene. — There was a turn in the 
tide of disaster when General Nathan- 
ael Greene was given command in 
the South. He had the valuable aid 
of Marion, *'the Swamp Fox," Sumter, and Pickens. These 
men from their hiding places in the swamps and hills fell 
suddenly upon the British troops, killed a few, and then 
disappeared on their swift horses. They lived on anything 
they could find in their wanderings. 




Nathanael Greene 



I20 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

On one occasion a British officer came to see Marion 
about an exchange of prisoners. As he was leaving, Marion 
invited him to stay to dinner. The officer looked around, 
but saw no signs of anything to eat. Marion, however, asked 
him to sit on a log, and turning to a soldier ordered him 




Marion's Dinner 



to serve the dinner. The soldier went to a pile of smoking 
cinders and raked out a lot of sx^eet potatoes. They were 
served on a piece of bark. 

' The British officer on his return said it was hopeless to 
try to conquer men who would suffer such things for their 
country. 

123. The Victory at Kings Mountain. — Cornwallis now 
sent a force of twelve hundred men under Ferguson to the 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION I2I 

mountain borders of Carolina. Here they were met by one 
thousand backwoodsmen. Although the British were in a 
strong position on the top of a height, they were cut to 
pieces by the skillful marksmen of the forest, who lost only 
twenty-eight men. The entire British force surrendered 
(October 17, 1780). Kings Mountain was the turning point 
of the war in the South, and the victory was largely won 
by the gallant troops from the West. 

124. Battles of Cowpens and Guilford. — General Greene 
with his small force seldom risked a pitched battle with the 
enemy. He attacked and retreated, going and coming till 
he completely wore out Cornwallis, the British general. 

To cut off Morgan, who was sweeping through the coun- 
try with his brave woodsmen, Cornwallis sent Tarleton to 
the northern part of South Carolina. At the Cowpens, as 
a large grazing tract here was called, Morgan was stationed 
behind earth trenches. After the British had made many 
vain attempts to carry his earthworks, he suddenly burst on 
them from all sides and completely defeated them. Tarleton 
saved himself by flight. Cornwallis and Greene now met 
(March 15, 1781) at Guilford Court House. Greene was 
defeated, but the losses in the British ranks — one fourth of 
the entire army — were so great that Cornwallis moved to 
Wilmington to get aid from the fleet. 

125. Surrender of Cornwallis. — Cornwallis now believed 
it would be better to go north and secure fresh troops. 
He would, he thought, conquer Virginia and then come 
back and overwhelm Greene. 

He therefore moved northward to Yorktown on the pen- 
insula between the York and the James rivers, where he 
expected to receive aid from the British fleet. 



122 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

The final hour of British rule, however, had now come. 
A French fleet under De Grasse ^ cut off Cornwallis by sea, 
and before the British knew what he was doing, Washington 
hurried southward with his army and cut him off by land. 




Surrender of Cornwallis 



The only thing for the British to do now was to surrender. 
On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis and his entire army yielded 
themselves up as prisoners of war. 

The Americans were drawn up under the command of 
Washington in a long line on the right, with the French 
army under Rochambeau^ on the left. 

Between these lines the downcast British soldiers to the 
number of eight thousand filed out of Yorktown. When 
the order to " Ground arms ! " was given, many threw their 
muskets down so hard that they were broken in pieces. 

1 I)e Grasse (de griis). - Rochambeau (r5-sh6N-b5'). 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 123 

126. Treaty of Peace. — The news of the surrender of 
CornwaUis was received everywhere in the colonies with 
the greatest joy. Bells were rung and messengers rode on 
horseback from town to town with the glad tidings. 

In Paris the solemn hymn of Te Deum ^ was sung in the 
church of Notre Dame, while the streets and houses were 
brilliantly lighted in honor of the great event. 

The treaty of peace between Great Britain and the 
United States was signed September 3, 1783. The inde- 
pendence of the United States was acknowledged. The 
territory of the new republic covered all the region between 
the Atlantic ocean and the Mississippi river, and from Can- 
ada to the boundary of Florida, the latter country having 
been ceded to Spain by Great Britain. 

127. The Northwest Territory. — Through the charters 
which had been granted by the king of England many of 
the colonies claimed that their territory stretched westward 
as far as the Pacific ocean. 

Now at this time the land north of the Ohio was claimed 
by many of the states because of these early charters. To 
strengthen the new Union these states now gave up to the 
national government their claims on the western land, only 
asking that it be sold to pay the debts of the nation. This 
vast area, which was soon to be the seat of five prosperous 
states, was at this time the home of Indians and wild beasts. 
Only a few military posts and settlements here and there 
marked the home of the white man. 

Congress by the Ordinance of 1787 organized this section 
as the Northwest Territory. Among the important pro- 
visions of this famous ordinance were the prohibition of 
1 Te Deum (ta da'um). 



124 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

slavery, the granting of freedom of worship, and the right 
of trial by jury. 

SUMMARY 

1. The American Revolution was caused by the attempt of the 
king of England to tax the colonists against their consent. 

2. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was pro- 
claimed. 

3. The first great victory of the war was the surrender of Bur- 
goyne, October 17, 1777. 

4. In 1778 France acknowledged the independence of the United 
States and sent us men, ships, and money. 

5. On October 19, 1 781, Cornwallis and his entire army surrendered 
at Yorktown. 

6. Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the United 
States in 1783. 

7. In 1787 the Northwest Territory was formed. 

Dates to be Tetneinbered : 

1765, the Stamp Act. 
1774, the First Continental Congress. 
I775j the battles of Lexington and Concord. 
1776, the Declaration of Independence. 

1783, the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United 
States. 

1 787, the Northwest Ordinance. 



CHAPTER XI 

THE NEW CONSTITUTION 

128. The Need of a New Constitution. — The war with Great 
Britain was at an end, but the states now had grave questions 
to settle. Under the Articles of Confederation Congress 
could make laws, but there was no power to compel the 
states to obey these laws. The national government could 
not obtain money from the states to pay its debts unless the 
states wished to give the money. There was no head to the 
government, for the office of President did not exist. There 
was no freedom of trade between the states. Goods from 
Connecticut were taxed at the New York customhouse as if 
they came from a foreign country. Even trade with foreign 
lands could not be regulated by Congress. Many of the states 
coined money which was not good in the other states and 
which at times was not worth anything even in the state in 
which it was coined. Every one saw that a new Constitu- 
tion was needed, and representatives from the various states 
met in Philadelphia (May, 1787). George Washington pre- 
sided. Among the famous men who sat in this convention 
were Washington, Franklin, Madison, Jefferson, Patrick 
Henry, John and Samuel Adams, and Alexander Hamilton. 
After four months a new Constitution was signed (Septem- 
ber 17, 1787) and sent to the states to be adopted by them. 
It was necessary that nine states should ratify the Consti- 
tution to put it in force. In many of the states there was 

125 



126 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

strong opposition, and it was not until June 21,1 788, that the 
ninth state (New Hampshire) ratified it and thereby secured 
its adoption. When the news of this action was heard it 
caused the greatest rejoicing throughout the country. 




The Adoption of the Constitution 



129. The New Constitution. — The new Constitution gave 
the nation a head, the President, and told how he should be 
elected. 

It provided for a Congress of two houses, — a Senate 
composed of two members from each state, and a House of 
Representatives based on population. 

It established the Supreme Court to settle disputed 
questions of law. 



THE NEW CONSTITUTION 12/ 

It gave Congress power to raise money by taxation. 

It allowed Congress alone to coin money and to regulate 
trade between the United States and foreign countries as 
well as between the states of the Union. 

130. The Election of Washington, 1789. — When the time 
came for the election of the new President all eyes turned to 
George Washington, who was unanimously elected. He was 
inaugurated April 30, 1789, on the balcony of the Federal 
Building on Wall Street in New York City, the first capital 
of the United States. As Washington stood forth to take 
the oath of office, the thousands of citizens gathered around 
rent the air with heartfelt cheers for the first President of 
the United States. 

SUMMARY 

1. In 1789 the new Constitution was adopted. 

2. George Washington was elected (1789) first President of the 
United States. 

Date to be 7'emei?ibered : 

1789, the adoption of the new Constitution. 



CHAPTER XII 

FROM WASHINGTON TO MADISON 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, FIRST PRESIDENT (1789-1797) 

131. The Tariff ; paying the Debts. — At the beginning of 
Washington's administration the government of the United 
States owed large sums of money to the soldiers. It had 
also borrowed immense amounts to pay the expenses of the 
War of the Revolution. 

To secure revenue it was found necessary to place a tax on 
all goods coming into the country. This tax is called a tariff. 

The first tariff law (1789) yielded to the treasury of the 
United States about two and one-half million dollars a year. 
It was now thought best to pay off not only the debts of the 
national government but also the debts of the separate states. 

Although these debts amounted to many millions of dol- 
lars, their payment placed the credit of the new government 
on a firm basis before the world. This great measure was 
largely due to the efforts of Alexander Hamilton, the young 
Secretary of the Treasury. 

132. Settlement of the West; Wayne's Victory.— 
Thousands of settlers were now pouring over the Allegheny 
mountains into the great valleys beyond. These colonists 
floated down the Ohio and settled Marietta ^ (1788) and 
two years later Cincinnati.^ 

1 Marietta (ma-ri-et'a). 2 Cincinnati (sin-sin-na'ti). 




George Washington 



129 



I30 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

The Indians saw with alarm these pioneers coming into 
their territory and went on the warpath against them, attack- 
ing the settlements on every side. They even boarded the 
flatboats as they came down the Ohio river and killed men, 
women, and children without mercy. 




Washington's First Cabinet 



Not until three armies had been sent against them were 
the Indians finally defeated (1794) on the Maumee river in 
northwestern Ohio. The victorious army was commanded 
by General Anthony Wayne, "the chief who never sleeps," 



FROM WASHINGTON TO MADISON 



13 



as the Indians called him. This battle of the Maumee opened 
the great Northwest Territory to peaceful settlement. 

133. The Cotton Gin. — Up to 1793 a small amount of 
cotton was raised in the South, but it was so difficult to sepa- 
rate it from the seeds that the crops were not profitable. 

In the year 1 793 Eli Whitney, a native of Massachusetts, 
was visiting in the South. After a little study he invented 
the cotton gin,i a machine which easily and quickly sepa- 
rates the seeds from the cotton. 
Up to this time a negro slave 
could clean only a few pounds 
of cotton in a day. With the 
cotton gin, even in its first 
crude form, one thousand 
pounds could be cleaned. 

At once the raising of cotton 
became very profitable and was 
soon the chief industry of the 
South. Thousands of bales 
were sent North to be made 
into cloth and thousands were 
sent abroad. To raise cotton on a large scale many slaves 
were required and large numbers were therefore brought 
into the country. It was the cotton gin that made slavery 
profitable and fastened it upon the country, as both North 
and South now shared in its profits. 

134. New States ; Death of Washington During Wash- 
ington's administration the new states of Vermont, Ken- 
tucky, and Tennessee were admitted, making at this time 
sixteen states in the Union. 




Anthony Wayne 



^ Gin is a contraction of the word " engine. 



132 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



At the close of his first administration (1793) Washing- 
ton had been reelected for a second term. He was asked to 
accept a third term, but declined, and John Adams was 
elected second President of the United States. 

Washington now retired to his beautiful home at Mount 
Vernon, on the banks of the Potomac. Here two years 




Mount Vernon 



later (December 14, 1799) he died, beloved and respected 
by the entire nation. 



JOHN ADAMS, SECOND PRESIDENT (1797-1801) 

135. The New Capital. — Adams was inaugurated (March 4, 
1 797) in Philadelphia, but the seat of government was soon 
moved to the new District of Columbia on the Potomac.^ 

1 Potomac (po-to'mak). 



FROM WASHINGTON TO MADISON 1 33 

The site of the nation's capital was given by the states of 
Maryland and Virginia. In honor of our first President it 
was named Washington. 

Here a beautiful city was laid out with wide avenues and 
extensive parks. The corner stone of the Capitol was laid 
September 18, 1793. 

136. The Trouble with France. — In the first years of 
Washington's administration a revolution had broken out 
in France. The king had been executed and a republic 
had been established. Against this republic war was soon 
declared by England. 

France now asked us to join with her against England. 
Washington felt, however, that the country above all things 
needed peace that it might recover from the effects of the 
War of the Revolution. He decided, therefore, to favor 
neither the French republic nor England. 

This decision made France so angry that President Adams 
now sent three envoys to adjust if possible the difficulties 
between that country and ourselves. 

The French government showed little regard for the 
American envoys, and money was actually demanded from 
them by agents of the French government. ^ One of the 
envoys quickly answered, " Our country has millions for 
defense but not one cent for tribute." This answer aroused 
the enthusiasm of the whole American nation, and we were 
on the verge of a war with France. In fact war ships sailed 
for the West Indies and destroyed four French cruisers 
and captured many merchant vessels. 

1 In his report to Congress President Adams called these agents Mr. X, 
Mr. Y, and Mr. Z. It is for this reason that this incident was named " the 
X, Y, Z Affair." 



134 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

About this time Napoleon became the head of the French 
nation, and he made peace with us (1800). 

137. The Alien and Sedition Laws. — President Adams 
and the FederaUst party, which had elected him, believed 
they should have the right to send foreigners (or aliens) 
out of the country for criticism of our government. They 
also believed there was too much freedom of the press. 

Two laws were passed (1798) called the Alien and Sedi- 
tion Laws. By the Alien Law the President had the right 
to expel any foreigner from our shores. Another provision 
of the law required fourteen years of residence here before 
an alien could become a citizen. 

The Sedition Law provided that any person who severely 
criticised the government of the United States could be 
fined or put into prison. 

The states of Kentucky and Virginia promptly declared 
that these laws were contrary to the Constitution of the 
United States, and refused to be bound by them. This 
was the first step in the theory of "state rights," a theory 
which was later to lead to the withdrawal of the southern 
states from the Union, and to civil war. 

In the election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson and Aaron 
Burr had the same number of electoral votes. Jefferson 
was thereupon elected by the House of Representatives. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON, THIRD PRESIDENT (1801-1809) 

138. The Louisiana Purchase, 1803. — By the treaty of 
peace at the end of the War of the Revolution the western 
boundary of the United States was the Mississippi river. 
Spain owned the vast country named Louisiana beyond 



FROM WASHINGTON TO MADISON 135 

that river/ but in 1800 she ceded to France this vast area 
with its millions of fertile acres. 

France and England were now at war, and Napoleon, 
emperor of France, needed large sums of money. At the 




ThuiMas Jefferson 

same time he was afraid lest England might seize Louisiana. 
He therefore sold it (1803) to the United States for fifteen 

1 This territory had earlier belonged to France through the explorations 
of Father Marquette and La Salle. In 1763, however, it had been given 
to Spain. 



136 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

millions of dollars. By this purchase our area was doubled 
and we were now in control of the Mississippi river. 




From photof^raph. Copyright, 1905, by WiHiain H. Rau, Philadelphia 

Signing thp: Louisiana Purchase 



139. The Lewis and Clark Expedition. — As nothing was 
known of the great territory which we had bought, an 





American Occupation of Louisiana 



137 



138 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

expedition under Lewis and Clark was sent (1804) to 
explore it. 

Starting from St. Louis (1804), at that time a frontier 
town of log cabins, they went with three boats to the head 
waters of the Missouri river. The brave explorers had to 
push their boats up the swift rivers and rapids. They suf- 
fered at times from intense heat, and again from the great 




Napoleon as First Consul 



cold of the high mountain regions. Their food supply gave 
out and they were often compelled to eat the horses that 
had fallen exhausted by the way. 



FROM WASHINGTON TO MADISON 



139 



After crossing the Rocky mountains they passed down 
the western slopes and reached the great Columbia river. 
A little later they arrived at the shores of the Pacific ocean. 




The Louisiana Purchase 



Only thirteen years before Captain Robert Gra)-, a 
Boston fur trader, had discovered this river and had named 
it after his vessel. He claimed for the United States all the 
territory drained by the river. 

The exploration of Lewis and Clark now gave us a 
second title to this country. 

140. The Embargo, 1807. — France and England were at 
war during these years. France forbade the ships of other 
nations to trade with England, while England forbade them 
to trade with France. As a result of this policy American 
vessels going to England were seized by the French, while 
vessels going to France were seized by the English. 



140 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Both France and England needed our rice, flour, and 
other goods, while the citizens of those countries wished 
to sell us manufactured goods. It was thought, therefore, 
that England and France would change their policy if no 
trading vessel was allowed to leave our ports with goods 
for a foreign country. This was called an embargo. The 
emjjargo had no effect on either France or England. It was 
a failure and was taken off after causing great loss to Ameri- 
can farmers, laborers, merchants, and shipowners. 




Fitch's Steamboat 

In 1802 Ohio, the first state formed from the Northwest 
Territory, was admitted to the Union. There were now 
seventeen states. 

141. The Beginning of Steam Navigation. — Travel in 
those early days was far from agreeable. It was for the 
most part by stagecoaches, which ran from town to town, 
making about forty miles a day. It required four days to 
go from New York to Baltimore. Sailing vessels were used, 
but they were very slow, seven days being frequently needed 
to make the trip from New York to Albany. 



FROM WASHINGTON TO MADISON 



In 1 790 John Fitch built on the Delaware a boat which 
was fitted with oars. These oars, moved by a steam engine, 
pushed the boat slowly along, even against the strong cur- 
rent. This boat ran between Philadelphia and Trenton. It 
did not pay expenses, however, and was quickly given up. 

142. Fulton's Invention, 1807. — Another experiment 
was made with steamboats in 1807 on the Hudson river. 




The "Clermont" 

Here Robert Fulton built the Clermont, a boat fitted with 
paddle wheels. On the day the new vessel was to make its 
trial trip to Albany a large crowd gathered to jeer at the 
inventor. It was believed the boat would be a failure. 

The people were greatly mistaken, however, as the Cler- 
mont started up the stream at a good speed, and reached 
Albany, one hundred and fifty miles distant, in thirty-two 
hours. At last the question of steam navigation was solved, 
and soon steamboats were built on most of the rivers and on 
the Great Lakes, 



142 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Twelve years after the Clermojtt made its trial trip the 
first steamer crossed the Atlantic ( 1 8 1 9) . This steamer was 
named the SavannaJi and reached Liverpool in twenty-five 
days. The coal was used up when the vessel was only 




A Modern Steamship 



halfway across, and for the remainder of the trip sails were 
used. This led to the belief that no vessel could carry coal 
enough for the whole voyage across the Atlantic. 



SUMMARY 

/. Wash ington 's A dm in isi) -a tioii ( i 7 8 9- 1 7 9 7 ) . 

1. The United States paid off all its debts and established our 
national credit before the nations of the world. 

2. With the invention of the cotton gin in 1793 began the great 
cotton industry of America. This invention led to the extension of 
slavery by making slave labor profitable to the North and to the 
South. 

3. The new states of Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee were 
admitted to the Union. 



FROM WASHINGTON TO MADISON 143 

//. John Adams's Administration (1797-1801). 

1. The national government moved from Philadelphia to Wash- 
ington, the new capital. 

2. Serious troubles which might have led to war with P>ance were 
settled (1800) by Napoleon. 

3. The Alien and Sedition Laws were enacted in 1798. 

///. JeffeisoiCs Administj-ation (i 801 -1809). 

1 . The great territory of Louisiana was purchased from France in 
1 S03. Lewis and Clark were sent to explore it. 

2. The embargo, which became a law in 1807, prevented Ameri- 
can vessels from trading with foreign nations. 

3. Robert Fulton's steamboat, the Clerinont, made its first suc- 
cessful trip in 1807. With this voyage the era of steamboats began. 

Dates to be remembered: 

1793, the invention of the cotton gin. 
1803, the purchase of Louisiana. 



CHAPTER XIII 
FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 

JAMES MADISON, FOURTH PRESIDENT (1809-1817) 

143. Trouble with England. — The seizure of American 
seamen led to trouble between England and the United 
States. England claimed at this time that an Englishman 
could not become a citizen of another country. Her motto 
was, '*Once an Englishman, always an Englishman." 




The United States declared that a man might become a 
citizen of another nation if he so desired. 

Acting on her motto, England sent men-of-war to stop and 
search American vessels not only on the high seas but even 
on our coasts. This was the so-called " right of search." 

144 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 



145 



In the course of a few years six thousand American sea- 
men were seized and made to serve in the EngUsh navy. 

144. The War of 1812. — The American people were 
now so aroused at the insults they had suffered that it was 
evident we must 
either fight for 
our rights or 
abandon the sea 
altogether. War 
was therefore de- 
clared (June 18, 
I 8 I 2) agai n s t 
Great Britain. 

Great Britain 
was much better 
prepared than the 
United States 
to carry on a 
successful war. 
The English 
troops were more 
numerous and 
better trained, as 
they had just been 
engaged in the 
wars against 
Napoleon. The American army was only seven thousand 
strong and was poorly supplied with guns and ammunition. 

England was even stronger on the sea than on land. 
She had eight hundred and fifty ships, while there were 
only twelve flying the stars and stripes. 




The Surrender of Hull 



46 TRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



145. The Plan of Campaign against Canada ; its Failure. — 

Three armies were raised for the invasion of Canada. The 
first under General Hull captured Detroit,^ but he was soon 
surrounded by the British and their Indian alhes. With no 
hope of relief he surrendered to save, he said, the men, 
women, and children of the fort from the scalping knife of 

the savage Indians. 

Another army under Van 
Rensselaer 2 attacked the 
British at Queenstown, near 
Niagara Falls. At the out- 
set our forces were success- 
ful. They failed, however, 
to receive the aid which 
they expected and thus were 
defeated. 

It was planned that a third 

army under Dearborn should 

move up lake Cham plain and seize Montreal. This plan 

also was unsuccessful, as Dearborn stopped when he reached 

our northern border. 

Thus we see that the entire campaign against Canada 
was a complete failure. 

146. Battle of Lake Erie. — While our land forces were 
meeting defeat our sailors were winning glorious victories. 

In the summer of 1813 Oliver H. Perry built a fleet of 
nine vessels on lake Erie and sailed to meet the British 
ships on the waters of that lake. 

In the battle that followed Perry's flagship was so badly 
torn with shot and shell that she began to sink. Perry 

1 Detroit (de-troit'). 2 Van Rensselaer (van rens'se-ler). 




SCALE OF MILES 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 



147 



took his little brother, and getting into a small boat fear- 
lessly rowed through a shower of bullets to another vessel. 
He completely defeated the enemy and sent the news 
of his victory in a famous message : " We have met the 
enemy and they are ours." Perry's victory cleared the 




Battlk of Lake Erik 

Great Lakes of British ships, and Detroit was soon aban- 
doned by the British. 

147. Indian Battles ; the Thames and Tohopeka. — Gen- 
eral William Henry Harrison was in command of the land 
forces of the West. He now moved against Canada and met 
at the Thames ^ river the English under Proctor, and the 
Indians led by the great Shawnee chief Tecumseh.^ The 
Americans won a comj^lete victory. Proctor fled, but 
Tecumseh was killed. 

1 Thames (thamz). - Tecumseli (te-ktim'seh). 



148 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



A short time before his death Tecumseh had sent mes- 
sengers to the Indians of the South urging them to go on 
the warpath. The messengers gave these southern tribes a 




Battle of the Thames 

bundle of red sticks. They were told to throw one away 
every day until the last stick was reached, when they were 
to fall upon the white settlers. 

The Indians obeyed Tecumseh's order. On the appointed 
day they attacked Fort Mimms, not far from Mobile. It 
was carried by storm, and every person in it was massacred 
with horrible cruelties. 

General Andrew Jackson was sent against the Indians, 
and utterly defeated them (March 27, 18 14) at Tohopeka. 

Weatherford, the Indian chief, now appeared before 
Jackson's tent. "I have fought you," he said, "with all 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 



149 



my power, but my warriors are now dead and I am in your 
power. Do with me as you please." 

In spite of the horrible cruelties which this Indian chief 
and his warriors had inflicted upon even women and chil- 
dren, his life was spared by Jackson. 

148. Battles of Lundy^s Lane and Plattsburg Early in 

July, 1 8 14, the Americans crossed the Niagara river, took 
Fort Erie, and defeated the EngUsh at Chippewa. They 
soon reached and captured the strong port of Lundy's Lane. 




Battle of Plattsburg 



A large force of fourteen thousand British with fourteen 
vessels now came down from Canada. They followed the 
route of Burgoyne and hoped to invade New York and cut 
off New Endand. Commodore Macdonough was waiting 



for them 



at 



Plattsburo:. In the battle which followed 



150 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



(September ii, 1814) the whole British fleet surrendered. 
The land forces of the English tried to cross the Saranac ^ 
river, but were driven back with hea\y loss and retreated 
to Canada. 

149. Burning of Washington ; ^' The Star-Spangled Ban- 
ner." — An English army now moved u}) the Potomac 
river and captured the city of Washington. The British 

soldiers set fire to the 
Capitol, the White House, 
and the Treasury, and 
plundered the city. On 
leaving, they marched to 
Baltimore, where they 
tried in vain to capture 
Fort Mc Henry, which 
guards the city. 

While the shells from 
the British fleet were fall- 
ing on the fort, Francis 
Scott Key was compelled 
to remain on a British 
man-of-war to which he 
had gone under a flag of 
truce to secure the ex- 
change of some prisoners. 
During the entire night he watched the flash of the British 
guns. In the morning he eagerly looked to see if the flag of 
his country was flying above the fort. When he saw it still 
floating proudly in the breeze he was inspired to write on 
the spot our national song, "The Star-Spangled Banner." 

1 Saranac (sar'a-nak). 




Francis Scott Key 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 



151 



The British general Ross was killed in this attack and 
the English fleet sailed away. 

There was great indignation even in England at the 
burning of Washington. One British statesman declared 
that although nearly every capital in Europe had been in 
the hands of Napoleon, he had never burned one that was 
unfortified. 

150. Battles on the Sea. — On the sea fifteen battles 
were fought, in twelve of which the Americans were victori- 
ous. Among the more famous of 
these were the victories of the 
Co7istitiition (or Old Ironsides^ as 
it was often called) over the Guer- 
riere} the Wasp over the Fi^olic, IJj 
and the United States over the 
Macedoftian. 

In an engagement off Boston 
harbor (June i, 18 13), between 
the American frigate Chesapeake ^ 
and the British ship-of-war Shan- 
non, the Chesapeake was captured, 
and for the first time since the 

beginning of the war the English flag was raised over an 
American vessel. Lawrence, the brave captain of the 
Chesapeake, died with the heroic words on his lips, '' Don't 
give up the ship." 

These words became the rallying cry of the American 
sailors during the war. 

151. The Battle of New Orleans. — The last battle of 
the war was fought January 8, 1 8 1 5 . The English hoped 

1 Guerriere (gar-ryar'). 2 Chesapeake (ches'a-pek). 




SCALE OF MILES 



52 



PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



to obtain control of the Mississippi river, and sent an army 
of twelve thousand trained soldiers to attack the city of 
New Orleans. 

To oppose them General Andrew Jackson had only six 
thousand untrained troops. Very many of them, however, 
were hunters and pioneers, who had lived in the woods and 
on the frontier, and were accurate marksmen. 

The British line rushed forward, but it was quickly swept 
away by the deadly fire of the backwoodsmen. Again it 
formed and advanced and again it was cut to pieces. The 




The "Constitution" and the "Guerriere 



British were completely defeated. Their general was killed 
and two thousand men were dead or wounded. The Amer- 
ican loss was only eight dead and six wounded. 

This battle was fought after the treaty of peace had been 
signed, but the news in those days could only be brought in 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 



153 



sailing vessels, and it was many weeks, therefore, before it was 
known that a treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent between 
the United States and Great Britain (December 24, 18 14). 




Battle of New Orleans 



The War of 1 8 1 2 is called the second war of independence. 
It taught the nations of Europe that we would fight to 
protect our seamen. 

An important result of the war was the building up of 
our home industries, and it was not many years before they 
grew to such an extent that it was no longer necessary to go 
to Europe for cotton cloth and other goods. 

During Madison's administration Louisiana and Indiana 
were admitted to the Union. 



154 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

JAMES MONROE, FIFTH PRESIDENT (1817-1825) 

152. The Cession of Florida, 1819. — From time to time 
the Creek and Seminole Indians in the Spanish territory of 
Florida went on the warpath, murdering and scalping the 
settlers with fearful cruelty. The territory was also the 
refuge of pirates, outlaws, and runaway slaves, who often 




The United States after the Florida Cession of iSk 



crossed the border into Georgia and plundered the colonists. 
General Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans, was 
sent to restore order in this southeastern country. 

With his usual vigor Jackson carried on a campaign of 
fire and sword against the savages, and completely defeated 
them. Then he boldly crossed the line into Spanish terri- 
tory, where he seized and hanged two Indian chiefs. He 
also executed two Englishmen who had been inciting the 
Indians to war and selling them guns and powder. Both 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 155 

England and Spain were so indignant at these acts of 
General Jackson that we were on the verge of war with 
both of these countries, but it was fortunately avoided. 

The United States desired to secure Florida, that she 
might fill out her coast line and control the gulf of Mexico. 
Spain gladly sold the territory (18 19) to the United States 
for five million dollars. Florida was the second large addition 
of territory to our flag. 

153. The Missouri Compromise, 1 1820. — The invention 
of the cotton gin had been increasing for many years the 
value of the cotton crop and of slave labor. The South, 
therefore, desired to see the institution of slavery spread. 
In the North slavery was unprofitable and was dying out, 
and the opposition to it in this section was becoming 
stronger day by day. 

At this time there were twelve slave states and twelve 
free states. Missouri, which had been a part of the Louisiana 
Purchase, had recently formed a state government and had 
asked for admission to the Union. 

The South wished Missouri to come in as a slave state ; 
the North said she must come in as a free state. The 
discussion was becoming more and more bitter each day, 
when Senator Henry Clay proposed the so-called Missouri 
Compromise. 

This compromise provided that Maine, a free state, and 
Missouri, a slave state, should be admitted to the Union, 
thus keeping the balance between the free and slave states. 

The remainder of the Louisiana territory, except Mis- 
souri, should be free from slavery above a certain line 
(36° 30'), which was the southern boundary of Missouri. 

1 Compromise (kom'pro-mlz). 



156 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

This plan was accepted and the slavery question was settled 
for a quarter of a century. 

154. The Monroe Doctrine. — Two questions of great im- 
portance came before President Monroe. The first question 
dealt with Russia. That nation claimed a large part of the 
Pacific coast southward from Alaska and had already begun 
to send settlers into the territory as far south as California. 
Mexico at this time owned California, and we were, there- 
fore, in danger of being shut off entirely from the Pacific 
ocean. The American nation for this reason viewed with 
great alarm the activity of Russia on the Pacific coast. 

The second great question was with Spain. Many of the 
Spanish colonies in the New World had rebelled against the 
mother country and had become independent republics. 

It was now believed that the monarchs of Europe, alarmed 
at the growth of these republics, had joined hands to help 
Spain regain her lost colonies. 

President Monroe in a message to Congress (December 2, 
1823) declared that European nations must try no longer to 
colonize America. He also declared that they must not 
attempt to overthrow American republics in the interests 
of European monarchs. 

This was the famous Monroe Doctrine. It had two great 
results : First, Russia gave up all attempts at colonizing the 
Pacific coast south of Alaska. Second, the struggling repub- 
lics of the New World were allowed to work out their own 
destiny, free from the interference of European nations. 

155. Visit of Lafayette. — In 1824 Lafayette, now an old 
man, paid a visit to the United States as the guest of the 
nation. He was received with joy in every state of the 
Union. 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 



157 



On the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill 
Lafayette laid the corner stone of the great monument that 
marks the site of the battle. On this occasion Daniel 
Webster delivered one of his most famous orations. 




w ^^w 



On the Way to the West 



Congress voted Lafayette two hundred thousand dollars 
and a large tract of land. This was given as a slight token 
of the good will of the country toward the heroic nobleman 
who had been our friend in the darkest days of our history. 



158 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Lafayette returned to France in a new frigate built for 
him and named the Brandyivine in honor of the first battle 
of the War of the Revolution in which he took part. 

156. The National Road. — We have already seen how 
the settlers as early as Washington's administration had 
begun to pour over the mountains into the Ohio valley. 

Hundreds of hardy pioneers were now hurrying west- 
ward to secure for themselves and their families new homes 
in the fertile fields of the West. Many of these pioneers 
went in boats down the Ohio ; others in creaking wagons 
struggled along the newly formed roads. 

That the East and the West might be joined together, 
Henry Clay persuaded Congress to vote money for a National 
Road. This road began at Cumberland, Maryland. It was 
eighty feet wide and was covered with gravel. Streams were 
crossed on strong stone bridges. It was finally extended as 
far as Illinois and aided greatly in building up the rich and 
prosperous states of the West. 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, SIXTH PRESIDENT (1825-1829) 

157. The Erie Canal ; Governor De Witt Clinton. — The 

great westward movement of the pioneers had been in 
general along three main routes. 

The first route ran through the state of New York along 
the Mohawk river and thence to Buffalo and the Great 
Lakes. A second route led through central Pennsylvania 
to Pittsburg and down the Ohio valley. By a third route 
settlers passed from the southern states across the moun- 
tains into Kentucky and Tennessee. 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON 159 

In this administration a great forward stride was made 
in rendering westward travel easier. A canal was proposed 
by De Witt Clinton, governor of New York. This canal 
was planned to reach from Buffalo to the Hudson river. 
People laughed at Clinton's "big ditch" and said it would 
never be finished, but neither ridicule nor scoffing had any 
effect on Governor Clinton. Thousands of men began to 
chop down the forests and to bridge the rivers. Locks were 
built to lift the canal boats over the highlands. 

158. The Completion of the Erie Canal ; its Results. — At 
the end of eight years (1825) the canal was finished. It 
was three hundred and sixty-three miles long and forty feet 
wide. Cannon were stationed about five miles apart along 
the line. As soon as the waters of lake Erie entered the 
canal at Buffalo the first cannon boomed, then the second, 
and so on, till eighty minutes later the news reached New 
York that the great work was finished. 

Governor Clinton entered a canal boat at Buffalo and 
journeyed through the entire length of the canal till he 
reached the Hudson river and later New York City. 

A keg of water which Clinton had carried from Buffalo 
was emptied into New York harbor to show that the union 
of the Atlantic and the Great Lakes was now completed. 

The canal greatly reduced the cost of freight. It was a 
comfortable although slow mode of passenger travel, and it 
built up large cities along its route. 

The Erie canal made New York the greatest commercial 
port in the western world. To prevent New York from 
securing, through the Erie canal, all the trade with the 
West, Pennsylvania also built a system of canals and roads 
to carry goods to Pittsburg and the Ohio valley. 



l6o PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



159. The Growth of the Steam Railroad. — The canal 
was a great step forward, but one even greater was soon to 

1 be taken. 

' Charles Carroll 
of Carrollton, the 
last surviving 
signer of the 

I Declaration of 

i Independence, 
turned (July 4, 

First Method of Travel on the Baltimore I^2o) tne nrst SOCl 

AND Ohio Railroad (1829) for a new railroad 

(From an old print) that was planned 

to extend from Baltimore to the Ohio river. The rails were 

of wood, covered with a thin strip of iron. The cars were 

drawn by horses. 

About this time the steam engine, or locomotive, was 
invented in England. It was a small, weak machine, but it 





An Early Railroad 

was gradually improved. It began in 1838 to take the place 
of horses on the railroad. 

From this humble beginning have arisen the great rail- 
road systems of the present day, with their palatial sleeping, 
library, and dining cars. A person may now speed at forty 



FROM MADISON TO JACKSON i6l 

miles an hour from the Atlantic to the Pacific in fewer 
days than it required to go from Boston to New York in 
Washington's time. 



m 


1 


^. 


...J 


L 


i 


Wm 


m^^^^s 


^ 


^M 




Lujmtkjji^ 



Modern Passenger Locomotive 

SUMMARY 

/. Madison's Aduiinistratioii ( 1 809-1 8 1 7). 

1. The War of 181 2 was fought with Great Britain to secure the 
rights of American sailors on the seas. 

2. At the beginning of the war the Americans suffered many 
defeats on land, but the sailors won glorious victories on the ocean. 

3. The city of Washington, the nation's capital, was taken (18 15) 
by the British army and partly burned. 

4. Our national song, " The Star-Spangled Banner," was written 
by Francis Scott Key during this war. 

5. The War of 181 2 led to the building of many factories, and the 
American people began to make goods for themselves instead of 
sending to Europe for them. 

//. Monroe's Administration ( 1 8 1 7- 1 82 5). 

1. General Jackson in a vigorous campaign defeated the Indians 
of the southeast and established peace and order in that section. 

2. In 1 819 Florida was sold to the United States. 



l62 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

3. The Missouri Compromise proposed (1820) by Henry Clay set- 
tled the slavery question for twenty-five years. 

4. In 1823 President Monroe published his famous message, which 
gave to the world the Monroe Doctrine. 

5. General Lafayette came from France to lay the corner stone of 
the Bunker Hill monument. 

///. John Quincy Adams's Adtnmistr-ation (i 825-1 829). 

1. The Erie canal, built by the state of New^ York, was finished 
in 1825. It made New York the greatest commercial port of the New 
World. 

2. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad was begun in 1828. Charles 
Carroll of Carrollton turned the first sod. This was the beginning of 
the great railway systems of America. 

Dates to be remembered : 

1 81 2-1 8 1 5, the second war with Great Britain. 
1820, the Missouri Compromise. 
1823, the Monroe Doctrine. 



CHAPTER XIV 



FROM JACKSON TO POLK 



ANDREW JACKSON, SEVENTH PRESIDENT (1829-1837) 



160. The Tariff Question. — In the election of Andrew 
Jackson the country for the first time had a President that 
came from west of the Alleghenies. Born in poverty, he 
had raised himself by his abil- 
ity, courage, and honesty to 
the highest place in the gift 
of the nation. He was a man 
of strong character, who had 
made himself the idol of the 
country by his defeat of the 
English at New Orleans and 
his victories over the Indians. 

For many years a difference 
of opinion had been steadily 
growing as to the best means 
of raising money to pay the 
expenses of the government. 
The people of the North had 
been gradually building up factories and new industries of 
many kinds. They now asked Congress to place a higher 
tariff, or tax, on goods coming from abroad. This would 
protect the new industries against foreign competition and 

163 




Andrew Jackson 



l64 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



would prevent foreign goods from coming in. This form of 
tariff, or tax, is called a ''protective tariff." 

The South had many plantations but very few factories. 
They bought most of their goods abroad and had them 
brought in vessels almost to their doors. As a high pro- 
tective tariff would increase the cost of these goods, the 
people of the South asked Congress to levy only such duties 
or taxes as would raise enough money to pay the running 
__ expenses of the govern- 

ment. A tax of this 
nature is called a "tariff 
for revenue only." 

161. South Carolina 
and Nullification, 1832. 
— As the tariff on for- 
eign goods had been 
gradually raised from 
time to time, a strong 
protest was now made 
by the South against 
another advance. 
South Carolina went 
even further. She declared (1832) that a state had a right 
to refuse to obey a law of Congress if the state believed the 
law to be unjust. This doctrine, called *' NuUification," or 
the right to make of no avail an act of Congress, was main- 
tained in the Senate in an eloquent address by Senator 
Hayne of South Carolina. 

Daniel Webster, in a famous oration, attacked this doc- 
trine. President Jackson acted promptly and declared that 
every law of Congress must be obeyed. He ordered troops 




Daniel Webster 



FROM JACKSON TO POLK 



165 



to be sent into South Carolina to see that the duties at the 
customhouse in Charleston were paid. At this critical time 
Henry Clay proposed a law to lower the tariff. This law 
was passed (1833), and as both the North and the South 
accepted it, the country was once more at peace. 

162. The Abolition Movement. — The debate on the tariff 
bill had caused deep feeling in the South. This -section 
was now still more disturbed by the new abolition move- 
ment in the North. William Lloyd Garrison began (183 1) 




Fort Dearborn, the Site of Chicago 

to publish a paper which declared that slavery should be at 
once abolished. He would even destroy the Union, if it were 
necessary, to bring this about. While most people in the 
North had little or no sympathy with Garrison's extreme 
views, the feeling against slavery spread rapidly, and socie- 
ties to overthrow it were formed in many cities and towns. 
The slavery question which Garrison raised grew daily 
more and more bitter, and at one time he barely escaped 
with his life from a mob in Boston. 



l66 PRIMARY HISTORY OP^ THE UxNITED STATES 



163. Growth of the West ; Chicago and Other Cities. — 

The growth of western settlements had been so rapid that 
Michigan had now sufficient people to form a state govern- 
ment. It was admitted to the Union as a free state in 1837, 
while Arkansas was admitted as a slave state in 1836. 

Cities were founded in many parts of the rich western 
country. Chicago was surveyed in 1830. Father Marquette 
had encamped on this site for the winter in 1674, while on 
his way to found a mission among the Illinois Indians. A 
fortified post was built here by the United States about a 
century and a half later and named Fort Dearborn. Around 
this fort a settlement grew up which was destined in a few 

years to be the 
second largest city 
in America. Among 
the other cities that 
began to rise at this 
t i m e w e r e San 
Francisco, Sacra- 
mento, Dubuque, 
Davenport, Mad- 
ison, Cleveland, 
Milwaukee, and 
Indianapolis. 
During Jackson's administration hard coal, or anthracite, 
came into use. Up to this time wood had been almost 
entirely the fuel of the people. Anthracite was accidentally 
discovered as early as 1 790 in Carbon county, Pennsylvania, 
by a man named Gunther, while he was hunting for deer. It 
was many years, however, before the people learned to use 
it, as a coal stove had not yet been invented. Matches now 




Exterior of a Coal Mine 



FROM JACKSON TO POLK 



67 



came into use in place of the steel and flint that were up to 
this time the usual means of securing fire. 

At the close of his second term of office, Jackson retired 
to his home, the Hermitage, in Tennessee. He is said to 
have remarked as he left the White House, " I leave this 
great people prosperous and happy." 



MARTIN VAN BUREN, EIGHTH PRESIDENT (1837-1841) 

164. The Crisis, or Panic, of 1837. — During Jackson's 
administration the country had indeed been very prosper- 
ous and the great growth of the West had led to a wild 
speculation in western 
lands. Whole counties 
were cut up into house 
lots, and cities were 
planned along the lakes, 
rivers, and canals. 
Everybody, it seemed, 
was buying or selling 
land, and great debts 
were contracted to 
obtain money for this 
purpose. At last an 
end came to this fool- 
ish land speculation 
when the government demanded gold and silver instead of 
paper bank notes in payment for the land. As gold and 
silver could not be secured, there followed one of the most 
severe money crises, or panics, that this country has ever 
seen. Banks failed, factories were closed, and thousands 




The Pony Express Rider 



l68 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

of men were without food or work. The crisis gradually 
passed away, but its bad results remained for many years. 

165. The Express Business. — The building of the rail- 
roads led to the rise of the express business. In 1839 
a messenger named Harnden began to carry money and 
valuable packages between Boston and New York. 

At the outset only two valises, or bags, were needed. 
From this small beginning arose the great express com- 
panies that now carry on business in all parts of the world. 




Indians attacking a Stagecoach on the Plains 

In the West a pony express was established. There were 
stations fifteen or twenty miles apart for a distance of two 
thousand miles from the Missouri river to Sacramento. 



FROM JACKSON TO POLK 169 

The rider with his mail bag traveled across the plains to 
the first station, where a fresh horse was waiting for him. 
Not a moment was lost. Jumping on the horse, he was off 
again to the second station. At the third station he gave 
the mail bag to another rider, who at once hurried away to 
cover his part of the journey. 

Over mountains and plains, in sunshine or in rain, the 
brave riders sped on their way. They often perished in 
the violent snowstorms of this region or by the hands of 
hostile Indians. 

It cost five dollars to send a letter by the pony express. 
This charge was soon reduced by one half. After two years 
stagecoaches were put in service, and the pony express was 
later discontinued. The passengers on these coaches met 
with many thrilling adventures, as they were frequently 
attacked by the Indians on the desolate plains of the West. 
Highwaymen, too, often stopped them and robbed them of 
their treasures. 



HARRISON AND TYLER, NINTH AND TENTH 
PRESIDENTS (1841-1845) 

166. A Famous Campaign. — In the election of 1 840 the 
Democrats were defeated in a national election for the first 
time in forty years. General William Henry Harrison, the 
hero of the famous Indian battle of Tippecanoe, had been 
nominated by the Whigs amid the greatest enthusiasm, 
as their candidate for President. Harrison was called the 
"log-cabin candidate," ^ and the cry of his party in the 

1 A Democratic paper had spoken of Harrison in a slighting manner, 
suggesting that a log cabin with a raccoon skin on the door would be more 



I/O PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

campaign was, "Tippecanoe and Tyler too ! " Log cabins 
were erected all over the country as the headquarters of 
the Whigs. 

Harrison was triumphantly elected, but scarcely had he 
taken his seat as President when he died. He was the 
first President to die in office. 

John Tyler, the Vice President, at once succeeded him, 
as provided by the Constitution. 

167. The Magnetic Telegraph. — In 1843 Samuel F. B. 
Morse asked Congress to give him thirty thousand dollars 
to build a telegraph line. He wished, he said, to send 
messages by electricity. 

Morse explained his system to the congressmen. By 
pressing a key attached to an instrument at one end of 
a wire, the electric current would pull down upon a strip 
of paper a needle at the other end. In this way a series 
of dots and dashes would be recorded. These dots and 
dashes spelled out words. 

Congress did not have great faith in the invention, but 
at last Morse received the money and a line was built from 
Washington to Baltimore. When all was ready a great 
throng gathered in the chamber of the Supreme Court at 
the Capitol in Washington. The key was pressed a num- 
ber of times, and Morse's partner in Baltimore at once 
read the message, taken from the Bible, ''What hath 
God wrought ! " 

Everybody present knew that at last, after his long 
years of labor and discouragement, Morse's magnetic tele- 
graph was a success. 

to his liking than the White House. The Whigs at once took up the inci- 
dent and, making the log cabin their emblem, swept the country. 



FROM JACKSON TO POLK 



171 



168. The Annexation of Texas. — The repiibhc of Mexico 
desired settlers for the vast unoccupied tracts of land in 
the northern part of its territory and granted (1821) to a 
party of Americans a large area in Texas. These settlers 
brought slaves with them into the new territory. 




The Texas Cession of 1845 

At this time slavery was not permitted in Mexico, and 
the Mexican government ordered these slaves to be freed. 
The settlers refused to obey the order. 

A revolution now broke out, and Texas was declared to 
be an independent republic. Her people asked that she be 
admitted as a state to the Union. 

Mexico at once declared that Texas still belonged to her, 
and that annexation to the United States would mean war. 

There was also a dispute about the southern boundary of 
Texas. The Texans claimed that the Rio Grande^ formed 



1 Rio Grande (re'6 gran'da). 



1/2 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

their southern boundary, while Mexico declared it was much 
further north, at the Nueces ^ river. 

While these questions were pending Congress admitted 
Texas to the Union. James K. Polk ^ was elected President 
by the Democrats and took his seat March 4, 1845. 



SUMMARY 

/. Jackson's Ad?m?tistratwn (i 829-1 837). 

1. The tariff question led South Carolina to proclaim the doctrine 
of Nullification, or the right of a state to refuse to obey a law of 
Congress. 

2. The movement against slavery began to gain strength in the 
North through the abolition societies. 

3. The great growth of the West and the general prosperity of the 
country were marked features of Jackson's administration. 

//. Van Buren's Adjninistration (183 7-1 841). 

1. The beginning of this administration was marked by one of the 
most severe financial crises in the history of the country. It is called 
the Crisis of 1837. 

2. The foundations of the great express business of the country 
were laid (1839) t>y Harnden. 

///. Harrison and Tyler's Administration (i 841- 1845). 

1. Samuel F. B. Morse perfected the magnetic telegraph and the 
first message was sent from Washington to Baltimore in 1844. 

2. Settlers in Texas, at that time a state of Mexico, rebelled and 
set up a republic. This republic was admitted (1845) to the Union 
as the state of Texas. 

Dates to be reme?nbered : 

1832, the Nullification doctrine. 

1844, the invention of the magnetic telegraph. 

1 Nueces (nwa'ses). 2 Poji^ (pok). 



CHAPTER XV 
FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 

JAMES K. POLK, ELEVENTH PRESIDENT (1845-1849) 

169. War with Mexico. — After his inauguration Presi- 
dent Polk quickly sent troops into Texas to build a fort 
on the Rio Grande. The Mexicans promptly attacked the 
Americans, but were driven back. A few days later the 




Battle of Buena Vista 

two battles of Palo Alto ^ and Resaca de la Palma ^ were 
fought and won (May 8-9, 1846) by the American forces. 

1 Palo Alto (pa'lo al'tS). 

2 Resaca de la Palma (ra-sa'ka da la paPma). 



174 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



War with Mexieo was now declared. General Scott 
moved southward across the Rio Grande and defeated the 
Mexicans at Monterey ^ and Buena Vista.^ 

An American force under General Kearny^ captured 
Santa Fe without resistance. He set up a civil government 
and declared all New Mexico to belong to the United States. 




The Mexican War 

Kearny now moved westward to capture California. 
When he arrived there he learned that the people of 

1 Monterey (mon-te-ra'). - Buena Vista (bwa'na ves'ta). 

^ Kearny (kar'ni). 



FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 



175 



California had revolted against Mexico and had set up a 
republic whose emblem was a white flag on which was 
a picture of a grizzly bear. For this reason the new gov- 
ernment was called the Bear Flag republic. 

American land and naval forces were soon at hand and 
trouble arose between the Californians and the Americans, 
which resulted in the raising of the flag of the United 
States over Monterey, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. ^ 




The Storming of Chapultepec 



170. The March to the City of Mexico. — In the mean- 
time a force under General Scott landed at Vera Cruz ^ on 
the gulf of Mexico, and he captured the small fort that 
defended the city. 

Scott now boldly marched through the mountain passes 
toward the capital of the republic, capturing the fair city of 

1 Los Angeles (los an'Hel-es). '^ Vera Cruz (va'ra kroos). 



176 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Puebla.i The Mexicans were now opposing him in large 
numbers. One by one fell the weak defenses of the city of 
Mexico, — Contreras,2 Churubusco,^ and Molino del Rey.^ 




The United States after the Mexican Cession of 1848 



At last Scott stood before Chapultepec.^ Here on a small 
wooded hill stood a fort and the military school of the re- 
public. The place was stormed and taken (September 1 3, 
1847), and the next day the American forces entered the 
city of Mexico. 

The fall of the capital ended the war. The Americans 
had won every battle. In the treaty of peace Mexico ceded 
New Mexico, Arizona, and California to the United States. 

1 Puebla (pweb'la). 2 Contreras (kon-tra'ras). 

3 Churubusco (choo-roo-boos'ko). The central point in this battle was 
the old church and monastery, which had been seized and occupied by the 
Mexicans. 

* Molino del Key (mo-le'no del ra'), " the king's mill." It was a grain mill, 
which had been heavily fortified. ^ Chapultepec (chii-podl-ta-pek'). 



FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 



177 



As we had already annexed Texas, there were added to our 
domain nine hundred thousand square miles of territory, an 
area almost twenty times the state of New York. 

The United States gave Mexico fifteen million dollars 
for the territory, and in addition paid claims amounting to 
about ten million dollars. 

171. The Early Missions of California. — As early as 
1535 California was explored by the Spaniards. Jesuit 
and Franciscan missionaries were sent there from -Mexico. 
They brought with them seeds of vegetables, grains, and 
flowers. Hundreds of cattle, sheep, and horses were also 
brought. The mission of San Diego,^ "the corner stone of 
the civilization of California," was built in 1769. This was 



.^tf^^^^k 8 


^I^nlL 


m 






^ • -^^^^ ■ ^ . 



Santa Barbara Mission 



followed by the foundation of other missions, until there were 
no less than twenty-one of these religious centers, extending 
from the gulf of California northward to San Francisco. 

1 San Diego (san de-a'go). 



178 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Around these missions gardens, orchards, ohve groves, 
and vineyards were planted, while on the hillsides and in 
the valleys thousands of cattle showed the prosperity of 
the happy Indians. 

A few years after Mexico had rebelled from Spain and 
had become (1821) an independent republic the missions 
were seized by the Mexican government. The Indians 




Sutter's Fort 



were scattered, the religious orders were driven away, and 
the missions which they had founded were robbed of their 
possessions by the corrupt agents of Mexico. Everything 
quickly fell into decay, and the work of a century of heroic 
effort on the part of the Jesuits and the Franciscans was 
destroyed . 

172. The Discovery of Gold. — An event occurred in 
1848 which changed the history of California. This was 
the discovery of gold. 




Sutter's Mill 



79 



l8o PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 




!~~r 






*9- 



■^. 



Near the junction of the Sacramento and American rivers 
a Swiss emigrant named Sutter had secured from the Mexi- 
can government a large tract of land. He erected a fort 
and had thousands of sheep, horses, and cattle in the miles 
of territory that stretched away in every direction. Forty 
miles up the American river Sutter decided (1848) to build 
a sawmill, and sent a man named Marshall to dig the mill 
race for him. While at work Marshall discovered pieces of 

gold in the water. A further 
search showed large quanti- 
ties in the bed and banks 
of the stream. 

The news quickly spread 
to San Francisco, and a 
wild rush for the gold fields 
followed. From all parts of 
the United States, and even 
from foreign countries, the 
miners poured in. Some 
took the route around Cape Horn ; others crossed the 
isthmus of Panama. Many came overland through the ter- 
rible deserts and the fearful mountain passes, where storms, 
famine, and savage Indians swept them off by thousands. 
The population of California increased so rapidly that she 
asked (1849) for admission to the Union as a free state. 

173. The Oregon Question. — We have already seen 
(p. 139) that Oregon 1 was claimed by the United States. 
This claim was founded on Captain Gray's discovery of the 
Columbia river, and the Lewis and Clark exploration. The 
English also claimed the territory through early discoveries 

1 Oregon (or'e-gon). 









FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 



I8l 



of the great explorer George Vancouver,^ and the agents of 
the Hudson Bay Company .^ Since 1818 the territory had 
been occupied under an agreement by both the United 
States and Great Britain. 

The American people now began' to demand all the 
Oregon country. For a time it seemed as if trouble would 




The United States after the Settlement of the Oregon 
Question in 1846 



arise between England and the United States, but the ques- 
tion was settled peacefully by dividing the country along 
the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude. 

174. Great Inventions ; the Reaper and Sewing Machine. 
— Two great inventions came into use at this time. One, 

1 Vancouver (van-koo'ver). 

2 This country as far north as Sitka in Alaska had been explored, how- 
ever, by the Spaniards under Juan Perez as early as 1774. In an agree- 
ment with Great Britain in 1795 Spain gave up her claim to the country 
north of the Columbia river. 



l82 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



which led to a wonderful development of the West, was 
the McCormick reaper. This machine had been already 
patented eleven years, but it was clumsy, heavy, and costly, 
and the farmers would not use it. It was now improved, and 
McCormick went on horseback among the farmers of Ohio, 

Indiana, and Ken- 
tucky, securing 
orders for his 
machines. After 
a few years they 
came into general 
use. 

The reaper ren- 
dered it possible to 
cultivate large 
wheat fields, and 
more than any 
single influence 
built up the great 
West. At the 
same time it cheap- 
ened the price of 
wheat and made 
bread much less 
expensive. 

Another great invention of this period was the sewing 
machine. This was the work of Elias Howe. The sewing 
machine made easier the labor of the household and reduced 
the price of all kinds of sewed goods. When it was adapted 
to the making of shoes it caused a great lowering in the 
price of those necessary articles. 




The Harvester 



FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 183 

Another discovery of the greatest value was the treat- 
ment of India rubber. This discovery by Goodyear made it 
possible for rubber goods to become articles of everyday use. 

In the field of medicine, the use of ether and laughing 
gas rendered possible the most difficult surgical operations. 

TAYLOR AND FILLMORE, TWELFTH AND THIR- 
TEENTH PRESIDENTS (1849-1853) 

175. The Compromise of 1850. — Zachary Taylor, who 
had won so many battles in the Mexican War, was elected 
President by the Whigs in 1848. He held office only a 
little more than a year when he died, and was succeeded by 
the Vice President, Millard Fillmore. 

The request of California for admission to the Union led 
to another bitter discussion of the slavery question. 

There were at this time fifteen free states and fifteen 
slave states in the Union, thus maintaining an even balance 
in the United States Senate. 

The people of the South, therefore, would not consent to 
the admission of California as a free state. They complained 
that runaway slaves could not be regained if they reached 
the North, and asked for a stronger law to help in bringing 
back these fugitives. 

To settle the dispute which was daily becoming more 
bitter, Henry Clay proposed that each side yield something. 
This was agreed to, and the result was the Compromise of 
1850. This compromise provided, among other things, for 
the admission of California as a free state, for a stronger 
fugitive slave law, and for the prohibition of the slave trade, 
but not of slavery, in the District of Columbia. 



l84 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITP:D STATES 



It was also provided that in the remainder of the territory 
secured from Mexico the settlers could decide for them- 
selves whether or not slavery was to be allowed. 

176. Results of the Compromise. — The compromise 
became a law in 1850, and California was at once admitted 
to the Union. 

The Fugitive Slave Law aroused the greatest indignation 
in the North. Whenever officers appeared to regain run- 
away slaves they were mobbed amid intense excitement. 




After the Gadsden Purchase of 1S53 

The publication at this time of Uncle Tom s Cabin, a book 
which claimed to be a picture of southern life, — a claim 
denied by the South, — increased the opposition to slavery 
in the North. This antislavery feeling grew daily with such 
rapidity that many feared it could only result in civil war. 

177. The Gadsden Purchase. — Among other pressing 
questions of this time was a dispute with Mexico about 



FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 185 

our southwestern boundary. This was adjusted by buying 
(1853) from Mexico the land between the Gila^ river and 
our present boundary. This transaction is known as the 
Gadsden Purchase, and gave us an additional forty-four 
thousand square miles of territory, — an area about equal 
in size to the state of Pennsylvania. 

FRANKLIN PIERCE, FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT 

(1853-1857) 

178. The Kansas-Nebraska Act. — It will be remembered 
(see p. 155) that by the Missouri Compromise Act of 1820 
slavery was pro- 
hibited, except in 
Missouri, in all the 
territory purchased 
from France, north 
of the line of 36° 30'. 

A bill was now 
offered by Senator 
Douglas of Illinois 
which would repeal 
the Missouri Com- 
promise Act. Under 
this new bill two new 
territories were to be 
organized which 
would be free or 
slave according to 
the vote of the set- Stephen A. Douglas 

tiers. This bill, known as the Kansas-Nebraska Act, became 

1 Gila (He'la). 




l86 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

a law in 1854. The passage of this law opened up again 
the whole question of slavery, which many thought had 
been settled forever. 

All the vast tract west of the Mississippi river was now 
the prize of the party securing the largest number of 
settlers. 

At once colonists began to pour in, those from Missouri 
in favor of slavery, those from the northern states in favor 




Area of Free and Slave States 



of freedom. Both parties were armed and riots and blood- 
shed were of daily occurrence. 

At last the party opposed to slavery won, and Kansas 
was admitted later (1861) as a free state. 

One of the results of the Kansas-Nebraska Act was the 
formation of the Republican party, largely to oppose the 
further spread of slavery. 



FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 187 

179. The Know-Nothing Party. — While the bitter slavery 
discussion was agitating the whole country, a new party was 
formed. Its members were called Know-Nothings, from the 
answer, "1 don't know," which they gave to all questions 
about their party. 

The Know-Nothing party was a secret organization which 
was opposed to the coming of foreigners to America. The 
chief principle of the organization, however, was opposition 
to Roman Catholics. 

Soon after its organization the Know-Nothing party, or its 
friends, began to commit the most lawless acts. Churches, 
convents, and even the homes of Catholic citizens in many 
parts of the country were burned. 

The Know-Nothings were successful for a time, but were 
soon lost sight of in the great questions that were now 
before the country. 

JAMES BUCHANAN, FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT 

(1857-1861) 

180. The Dred Scott Decision. — Two days after President 
Buchanan had taken his seat the United States Supreme 
Court gave a decision of the utmost importance on the 
question of slavery. 

Dred Scott, a slave, had been taken by his owner to the 
free states of Illinois and Minnesota, and after some years he 
was brought back to live in Missouri, a slave state. Scott 
now claimed his freedom, saying he had lived on free soil 
and was therefore free. 

His case came before the Supreme Court of the United 
States. This court decided that Scott could not bring a suit 



l88 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

in a court because he was a slave, — in other words, merely 
property. The court declared that a man could take his 
slaves anywhere, as he would a horse or a cow or other 
property. The court also declared that the Missouri Com- 
promise Act was of no value, as Congress had no right to 
make a law that would prevent a man from moving his 
property anywhere. 

This famous decision opened all the territories of the 
United States to slavery. It created an intense feeling 
in the North. In the South equally intense feelings were 
aroused by the John Brown raid. 

181. John Brown's Raid. — John Brown had lived in Kansas 
and had taken part in the troubles there. Coming back to 
Virginia, he set out to free the slaves by inciting them to 
revolt. He hoped to establish a refuge in the mountains where 
runaway slaves could be protected against their masters. 

With a few followers Brown seized (1859) the United 
States arsenal at Harpers Ferry. He expected the slaves 
would rise and join him, but he was disappointed in this, and 
his little band was quickly surrounded and captured. Brown 
and six of his followers were executed. 

The North had no sympathy with Brown or his raid. 
Many people in the South, however, believed Brown had 
been aided by friends in the North, and that his raid was 
but the beginning of a general movement to free all the 
slaves in the South. 

182. The Discovery of Oil. — A discovery at this time 
led to an excitement which recalled the gold days of '49 in 
California. 

In 1859 ^ ^6^1 about seventy feet deep was sunk near 
Titusville, Pennsylvania. A great flow of oil followed. 



FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 1 89 

Other wells were sunk, until throughout western Pennsyl- 
vania and New York, as well as eastern Ohio and West 
Virginia, oil derricks dotted the country everywhere. 

This discovery led to the production at a cheap rate of 
refined petroleum, or kerosene oil, which quickly took the 
place of sperm oil and candles for the lighting of homes. 

The oil industry has grown to great proportions. The 
regions where oil is found are very widespread, one of the 
greatest districts being recently discovered in Texas. 

183. The Douglas and Lincoln Debates. — When the 
term of Senator Douglas was drawing to an end he was 
a candidate for reelection. The Republicans nominated 
Abraham Lincoln for the same office. 

Lincoln was born (1809) in Kentucky of poor parents. 
He obtained an education only by the greatest labor. He 
studied while at work in the field or in the store and in the 
evening by the light of the fireplace. He became a lawyer 
and was elected to the legislature of the state of Illinois and 
later to the national House of Representatives. 

When the Kansas-Nebraska Act was signed by President 
Pierce, Lincoln became an active opponent of the further 
extension of slavery. "A house divided against itself can- 
not stand," he declared. "This government cannot endure 
half slave and half free. It will become all one thing or all 
the other." 

Douglas and Lincoln traveled over the state of Illinois, 
holding debates. These debates covered the questions that 
were before the minds of the people, such as the Kansas- 
Nebraska Act, the Dred Scott decision, and slavery. 

Douglas was reelected, but Lincoln had become so promi- 
nent a figure before the country that he was nominated 



190 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

(i860) by the Republicans for President of the United 
States. There was a division in the Democratic party and 
Lincoln was elected. 

184. South Carolina secedes. — Upon the news of Lin- 
coln's election a convention was called in South Carolina. 
This convention declared (December 20, i860) that South 
Carolina was no longer a member of the Union but was an 
independent nation. 

In the next two months Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, 
Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas left the Union. They formed 
(February 4, 1861), at Montgomery, Alabama, the Con- 
federate States of America and elected Jefferson Davis as 
president. 

President Buchanan made no effort to keep the seceding 
states in the Union, as he did not believe he could use force 
to do so. 

The nation waited with anxiety to see what Abraham 
Lincoln would do when he took the office of President. 



SUMMARY 

/. Polk's Administration (i 845-1 849). 

1. War was declared in 1846 against Mexico. In this war the 
Americans won every battle. 

2. As a result of the war, Mexico ceded to the United States Cali- 
fornia, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Arizona and Colorado. 

3. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 led to a rush of 
settlers to that section. 

4. The Oregon question was settled (1846) by dividing the disputed 
territory with Great Britain. 

5. The invention of the reaper, the sewing machine, and other valu- 
able appliances caused us to make great progress in our industries. 



FROM POLK TO LINCOLN 191 

//. Taylor and Filbnore's A dministj-ation ( 1 849- 1853), 

1. By the Compromise of 1850, California was admitted as a free 
state and a stringent fugitive slave law was passed. This law caused 
the rapid spread of antislavery feeling in the North. 

2. In 1853 the Gadsden Purchase secured for us from Mexico the 
territory between the Gila river and our present boundary. 

///. Pieixe's Ad/ninistration (1853-1857). 

1. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 opened again the question of 
slavery, and slavery and antislavery parties made strong efforts to 
secure the great territories of the West. 

2. The Know-Nothing party was formed in 1854 and for a short 
time had some success. 

/ V. Buchanan' s A dministration ( 1 8 5 7- 1 86 1 ). 

1. The Dred Scott decision opened all the territories of the United 
States to slavery. 

2. John Brown tried to incite the slaves of Virginia to rebellion 
against their masters. He seized the United States arsenal at Harpers 
Ferry, but was captured and executed. 

3. The discovery of oil gave the people a new fluid for lighting 
and established a new and great industry. 

4. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President led to the with- 
drawal or secession of South Carolina from the Union. 

Dates to be remembered : 

1 846- 1 848, the war with Mexico. 
1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act. 
1857, the Dred Scott decision. 
i860, the secession of South Carolina. 




Abraham Lincoln 



192 



CHAPTER XVI 



THE CIVIL WAR 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN, SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT 

(1861-1865) 

185. The Fall of Sumter. — On the day of his inaugura- 
tion President Lincoln declared that it was not his purpose 
to interfere in any way with slavery. He would, however, 




The Fall of Fort Sumter 

preserve the Union and hold all places that belonged to 
the government. 

The garrison at Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston 
was in great need of food and clothes, and President Lincoln 
ordered supplies to be sent there. 

193 



194 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



The Confederates at once ordered Major Anderson, in 
command of Sumter, to give up the fort. He refused, and 
the Confederate batteries at daybreak, April 12, 1861, 
opened fire, and the shells bursting over the fort told the 
world that our great Civil War had begun. 

Major Anderson had sixty men. Around him on all sides 
were forts that poured on his defenses a steady rain of shot 

and shell. The walls of Sumter 
crumbled, and after thirty-four 
hours Anderson was compelled 
to surrender. He was allowed 
to march out with colors flying, 
while the new Confederate flag 
— the stars and bars — was 
raised over the ruins of the fort. 
186. Other Southern States 
secede. — The fall of Sumter 
startled the North like an elec- 
tric shock. President Lincoln 
called for seventy-five thousand 
troops, and three hundred 
thousand volunteers rushed for- 
ward to go to the front in defense of the Union. 

In the South the same enthusiasm was everywhere 
seen.- Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina 
left the Union and joined the Confederate states, which 
now numbered eleven. 

187. The Blockade ; Battle of Bull Run, or Manassas. — 
A blockade was immediately established along the south- 
ern coasts to prevent vessels from going out or coming in. 
This blockade soon made it very difficult for the South to 




Jefferson Davis 




^radUy ^ P»ate*jJ><tgr'i^ JLK 



THE CIVIL WAR 



195 



get its cotton, sugar, and tobacco to Europe, or to secure 
in Europe the arms and war material it needed so badly. 

The southern capital was soon moved from Montgomery 
to Richmond, and a large Union army now moved to cap- 
ture it. Thirty miles south of Washington the Union and 
Confederate armies met (Sunday, July 21, 1861) at Bull 
Run, or Manassas. In the intense heat of a summer day a 




Confederate Capitol at Richmond 

terrible battle was fought, in which the Union forces were 
completely defeated and fled to the defenses of Washington. 
In this battle General Thomas J. Jackson held his Confed- 
erate lines so firmly that he received the name '' Stonewall " 
Jackson, by which he was ever afterwards known, 

188. Results of Bull Run. — The battle of Bull Run sur- 
prised the North beyond measure. Many, if not most peo- 
])le in that section, had believed the war would be finished 
in ninety days. They now saw that it would probably be a 
long, bitter, and bloody contest. 



196 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



To the South, Bull Run probably gave hopes of an easy 
victory over the North. The southerners had expected that 
the nations of Europe would at once acknowledge their 
independence, but to their great disappointment no nation 



Chambersburg, 

P E N N S 




did so. The North now saw that it would be necessary to 
raise armies of hundreds of thousands of men and millions 
of dollars to save the Union. 

189. The Peninsular Campaign, 1862. — The Union army 
was now moved to Yorktown, and began a march up the 
peninsula formed by the James and York rivers. Gen- 
eral McClellan, who was in command, hoped to capture 
Richmond. 



THE CIVIL WAR 



197 



The Confederates opposed him at every step, fighting 
the battles of WilHamsburg and Fair Oaks. The small 
rivers which here cross the peninsula were swollen by 
heavy rains, and McClellan's march through the swamps 
was a most difficult one. He arrived at last within sight 
of the church spires of Richmond and could hear the bell: 
of the city. He was not able to hold his position, however, 
against the fierce attacks of the Confederates (June 25- 
July I, 1862) and was compelled to fall back to the James 
river. The Peninsular 
Campaign had failed. 

190. Cedar Moun- 
tain; Second Battle of 
Bull Run. — The Con- 
federates under Gen- 
eral Robert E. Lee now 
fell upon the Union 
forces which had been 
placed to defend Wash- 
ington. In the battle 
of Cedar Mountain the 
Union forces under ^ 5 10 

Pope were driven back and defeated by Lee and Jackson. 
McClellan's troops were quickly brought from the James 
river, and with this addition to his forces General Pope took 
a stand on the old battlefield of Bull Run. Here he was 
attacked by Lee (August 30, 1862) and badly defeated. 

191. Antietam and Fredericksburg. — General Lee now 
decided to invade the North, and he sent Stonewall Jackson 
to seize Harpers Ferry. Thousands of prisoners and great 
quantities of military supplies fell into Jackson's hands. 




SCALE OF MILES 



198 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Lee crossed the Potomac and McClellan was sent to 
stop his advance. The two armies met (September 17, 
1862) at the bridge that crosses Antietam creek near 
Sharpsburg, Maryland. After a terrible struggle in which 
each side lost twelve thousand men, Lee recrossed the 
Potomac to Virginia. 

The government believed McClellan should have pursued 
Lee with vigor. He was now removed from his comniand 
and Burnside was appointed. 

Burnside started with his army for Richmond and reached 
the banks of the Rappahannock. Across that river the Con- 
federates held a strong position on the hills of Fredericks- 
burg. The Union army crossed (December 13, 1862) and 




Battle ok Antietam 



swept up the heights. Their ranks were torn to pieces by 
the shells of the Confederates and they were driven back 
across the river with a loss of twelve thousand men. 



THE CIVIL WAR 



199 



192. The Merrimac and the Monitor^ March 9, 1862. — 

At the outbreak of the war the Union commander at 
Norfolk sank a vessel called the Merrimac, to prevent it 




Battle (jf Fredericksburg 



from falling into the hands of the South. This vessel 
was raised by the Confederates, covered with plates made 
of railroad iron, and named the Virginia. This ironclad 
vessel sailed out (March 8, 1862) and boldly attacked and 
sank the Cumberland, whose shells rolled harmlessly from- 
the sides of her opponent. The Congress was next destroyed, 
being set on fire by red-hot cannon balls. 

The next morning when the Merrimac steamed forth on 
her errand of destruction a small ironclad boat appeared. 
She looked, it was said, like a cheesebox on a raft. Her 
turret revolved, thus allowing the two large guns with which 



200 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

she was armed to be fired very frequently. As the Merrimac 
came near the little Monitor hurled a solid shot at her. The 
two vessels now fought for four hours, when the contest 
closed. Neither vessel had been able to destroy the other, 
but the Mojiitor had saved the Union fleet from destruction. 
This battle gave the deathblow to wooden vessels of war. 




The " Monitor " and the " Merrimac " 



193. The War in the West. — The Confederates had estab- 
lished a strong line of defense along the northern boundary 
of Tennessee. It was necessary for them to hold secure the 
Cumberland and the Tennessee rivers, as they penetrated 
into the heart of the southern states. Fort Henry and Fort 
Donelson were therefore erected to control these rivers. 

Against these positions General Grant was sent with 
seventeen thousand men. He was assisted by Commodore 
Foote, who sailed up the rivers with gunboats. 




General Ulysses S. Grant 



202 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Fort Henry soon fell (February 6, 1 862) and ten days later 
Fort Donelson surrendered with fifteen thousand men. 

Grant now moved up the Tennessee river to Pittsburg 
Landing, or Shiloh, where he was suddenly attacked by 
General A. S. Johnston and driven back (April 6, 1862). 
There was fearful loss of life on both sides, until upon the 




SCALE OF MrLES 



50 100 



arrival of fresh Union troops on the following morning 
(April 7, 1862) the Confederates were driven back to Cor- 
inth. Nearly twenty-five thousand men fell in these battles. 

194. Rosecrans' Victories. — Some months later the Con- 
federates marched out and attacked with great vigor the 
Union army under General Rosecrans at luka and Corinth, 
but were defeated with heavy loss. 

On the last day of 1862 they made a desperate charge 
on the Union forces at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. For three 



THE CIVIL WAR 



203 



days the battle lasted, but Rosecrans held the Union line and 
once more the Confederate forces under Bragg were defeated.^ 

195. Opening the Mississippi. — In the meantime gun- 
boats had captured all the forts on the Mississippi as far 
south as Memphis, and when this city fell (June 6, 1862) 
the river was open southward as far as Vicksburg. 

Guarding the mouth of the Mississippi was the great city 
of New Orleans, which Captain Farragut was now sent to 




Farragut passing the Forts below New Orleans 



capture. New Orleans was guarded by two forts — Jack- 
son and St. Philip — about thirty miles from the mouth of 
the river. Across this river two chains were stretched on 
vessels fastened securely together. A fleet of armed gun- 
boats also guarded the passage. 

Amid a storm of shot and shell one of Farragut's vessels 
broke the chains, and the entire fleet now started up the 
river. From the forts and armed vessels thousands of 

1 This is also called the battle of Stone river. 



204 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

shells were hurled at the Union ships, but they escaped 
in safety and soon appeared before New Orleans. Here 
Farragut saw the wharves blazing with cotton which was 
being destroyed to prevent it from falling into the hands of 
the northern army. The city was given up April 25, 1862. 
The Union forces now controlled the entire Mississippi 
river except between Vicksburg and Port Hudson. 

196. The Emancipation Proclamation. — At the outbreak 
of the war President Lincoln's only idea was to preserve 
the Union. He did not intend to interfere with slavery in 
any way. 

The longer war continued, however, the stronger became 
the feeling in the North against slavery. As the South 
made valuable use of slave labor to raise the food for the 
southern armies, and to build forts and defenses, it was held 
by many to be a good military measure to cut off this aid 
to the South by freeing the slaves. 

At last, in the fall of 1862, President Lincoln announced 
that unless the Confederate states returned to the Union 
by the first of January, 1863, he would on that day free all 
the slaves in the states then held by the southern military 
forces. 

The Confederate states did not return and the Eman- 
cipation Proclamation was issued January i, 1863. It de- 
clared that all slaves were forever free in all territory held 
by the Confederate armies. 

197. Battle of Chancellorsville. — For five months after 
the terrible defeat at Fredericksburg the armies in the 
eastern states remained quiet. In May the Union army to 
the number of one hundred and thirty thousand men under 
General Hooker moved southward. 




20S 



206 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Lee and Stonewall Jackson with sixty thousand men 
made a stand at Chancellorsville. Here in a fearful battle 
the Union forces were badly defeated (May 2-3, 1863) and 
driven back across the Rappahannock. 

198. Gettysburg. — Lee now tried to invade the North. 
Rushing across Virginia and Maryland, he entered Pennsyl- 
vania. Near the boundary line that separates Maryland 
from Pennsylvania is the small town of Gettysburg in a 
beautiful valley between two ridges. Here the armies 

met, and for three days (July 1-3, 
1863) the battle raged. General Lee 
had seventy thousand men, while the 
Union forces under General Meade 
numbered ninety thousand. 

On the third day Lee decided to 
break if possible the center of the 
Union line. After a terrible cannon- 
ade he ordered General Pickett with 
seventeen thousand men to charge. 
Across the field they dashed with 
heroic bravery, shot and shell tearing their ranks as they 
pushed on ; but their valor was in vain, for the Union line 
heroically held its position and Pickett was repulsed. 

Lee now took his broken army southward across the 
Potomac. 

Gettysburg is called the high-water mark of the war. 
From this time the Confederate forces lost ground almost 
daily. 

199. The National Cemetery. — As a resting place for 
the thousands of brave men who gave up their lives for the 
Union, the field of Gettysburg was made a national cemetery, 




THE CIVIL WAR 



207 



and beautiful monuments were erected to mark the position 
of the troops on the days of the great conflict. 

The cemetery was dedicated November 19, 1863. Stand- 
ing on the field that but a few months before was the scene 
of the terrible battle, President Lincoln delivered his famous 
and beautiful address, the closing words of which expressed 




Siege of Vicksburg 



the hope that "government of the people, for the people, 
by the people shall not perish from the earth." 

200. The Siege and Fall of Vicksburg. — The day after 
Gettysburg a great disaster came to the southern cause. 
It will be remembered that the fall of New Orleans gave 
the Union forces control of the Mississippi except between 
Port Hudson and Vicksburg. 

Vicksburg was built on a high bluff two hundred feet 
above the river. It was strongly fortified and was defended 
with great skill and bravery by General Pemberton. General 



2o8 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Grant was sent to capture it. Gradually he drew lines of 
soldiers around the city, cutting off supplies, while a storm 
of shot and shell fell upon the defenses of the Confederates. 

A large army 
was sent to the 
relief of the city, 
but it was driven 
back. The siege 
lasted for seven 
weeks. During 
this time the peo- 
ple in the city were 
forced to live in 
caves dug in the 
earth, to escape 
the bursting shells, 
while famine and 
disease threatened 
to sweep them 
away. Seeing his 
position was hopeless, Pemberton surrendered (July 4, 
1863). Port Hudson fell a few days later. 

The entire Mississippi was now controlled by the Union 
forces, and Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas were cut off 
from the other Confederate states. 

201. Chickamauga and Chattanooga. — After his defeat 
at Murfreesboro, General Bragg still held the important city 
of Chattanooga.^ General Rosecrans now moved against 
him. Crossing with great toil two rugged mountain ranges, 
Rosecrans and the Army of the Cumberland pushed forward, 

1 Chattanooga (chat-ta-nob'ga). 




THE CIVIL WAR 



209 



and by a brilliant campaign forced Bragg to abandon Chat- 
tanooga. Fresh troops under Longstreet soon arrived for 
Bragg, who attacked (September 19-20, 1863) Rosecrans at 
a little river named in the Indian language Chickamauga,^ 
" the river of death." Here a battle was fought with fearful 
losses on both sides. 

General Thomas commanded the left wing of Rosecrans' 
army. For his bravery in holding this wing, which was 
repeatedly attacked by Bragg, Thomas was ever afterwards 
called "the Rock of Chickamauga." The Union army now 
reentered Chattanooga. 

General Grant with a large number of fresh troops soon 
arrived and attacked Bragg, who held strong positions on 
Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. Up the steep 




010 30 50 



sides of Lookout Mountain the Union soldiers rushed, and 
the struggle which followed resulted in victory for the 
North. The crest of the mountain was hidden in mist, and 

1 Chickamauga (chick -a-ma'ga). 



2IO PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

for this reason this famous battle is known as *' the battle 
above the clouds." 

Bragg now retired into Georgia. 

202. The March to the Sea There were only two Con- 
federate armies now in the field, that under Lee in Virginia, 
and the other under Johnston in Georgia. 

Grant now formed a plan to attack Lee, while Sherman 
on the same day would move against Johnston. 

Sherman marched southeast, and Johnston opposed him 
at every step without fighting a pitched battle. He burned 




The Battle above the Clouds 



bridges, pulled up railroad tracks, and seized provisions to 
prevent Sherman from getting them. 

Events proved that this policy of Johnston was a most 
skillful one, but the Confederate government did not approve 



THE CIVIL WAR 



21 1 



of the plan of always retreating before the enemy, and Hood 
was appointed in place of Johnston. Hood promptly attacked 
Sherman and was defeated. Atlanta fell into Sherman's 
hands and was burned. 

Hood hoped to draw Sherman back to Tennessee and 
marched into that state, but Sherman kept on his way. 




Map of Sherman's March 

Hood now tried to crush the Union army under Thomas, 
but he was utterly defeated at Nashville. 

In the meantime Sherman kept on his march to the sea, 
destroying railroads and public property and everything 
that could be of use to the Confederacy. 

He soon appeared before Savannah, and after a short 
siege captured the city (December 20, 1864) with thousands 
of bales of cotton and great stores of military supplies. 

203. The Alabama. — Many vessels had been fitted out 
in English ports to sail under the Confederate flag and to 
destroy the Union shipping. 



212 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

The most famous of these vessels was the Alabama, which 
was commanded by Captain Semmes. For two years this 
vessel swept the seas, capturing merchantmen and doing great 
damage. She sailed from the Atlantic even to the Indian 
ocean, securing as prizes scores of valuable merchant vessels. 

In June, 1864, she was at Cherbourg, France, when the 




The "Alabama" and the "Kearsarge" 



United States war ship Keai'sarge came into the harbor. 
The Keai'sarge challenged her to go out and fight. The chal- 
lenge was accepted and after a short contest the Alabama 
was sunk. 

The government of Great Britain was later (1872) com- 
pelled to pay $15,500,000 for the damage done by the 
Alabama and other cruisers fitted out in English ports. 



THE CIVIL WAR 



213 



204. Battles of the Wilderness. — Grant had now moved 
against Lee, who was defending Richmond with the flower 
of his army. 

Grant fought battle after battle for almost two months 
(May 5-June 15, 1864), trying in vain to break through 
Lee's strong 
defenses. The 
Union loss was 
fifty thousand 
men in these 
battles of the 
Wilderness, as 
this country of 
tangled under- 
brush is called. 
Seeing he could 
not reach Rich- 
mond by direct 
attack. Grant 
swung around 
and besieged 
Petersburg, one 
of the outer de- 
fenses of Rich- 
mond. He could " 20 50 75 100 
not capture this strongly fortified town, however. 

205. Sheridan's Raid. — Sheridan was now ordered to 
go to the rich Shenandoah valley, where many of the sup- 
plies of Lee's army were secured, and to utterly destroy 
everything of use to the Confederacy. Barns, fields of wav- 
ing grain, storehouses, — all went up in a cloud of smoke, 




SCALE OF 



214 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

till it was said, '* If a crow flies through the Shenandoah 
valley, he must bring his provisions with him." 

While here Sheridan defeated the Confederates under 
Early, but in Sheridan's absence Early again attacked the 
Union forces and drove them back in great confusion. 

Sheridan was eleven miles away when he heard the 
boom of the cannon. He mounted his black horse, Rienzi, 
and dashed for the scene of action. When he arrived he 
found the Union army had begun to reform its lines. ^ 
''Boys, we are going back to our old camp," he quietly 
said, and the Union forces, dashing forward, regained the 
old camp and completely defeated Early (October 19, 1864). 

206. Lee's Surrender. — The end of the war was now 
near. All the seaports were in the power of the Union 
ships, while Grant's army was posted to the south of Rich- 
mond, besieging Petersburg. Sheridan was west of the city, 
Sherman was coming north. 

At last Petersburg fell (April 2, 1865), and Lee, now 
realizing that he could hold Richmond no longer, abandoned 
the city and moved westward as the triumphant Union 
army entered the Confederate capital. Lee now realized 
that it was useless to continue the struggle and surrendered 
his army to General Grant (April 9, 1865). 

The Confederate army was on the verge of starvation, 
and Grant at once ordered twenty-five thousand rations to 
be issued to them. 

Johnston now surrendered his army to Sherman, and the 
great Civil War was ended. 

1 The poem " Sheridan's Ride " is very spirited, but is incorrect as to 
the facts. Rienzi, the black charger, on his death in 1878, was stuffed and 
placed in the Military Museum on Governor's island in New York harbor. 




General Robert E. Lee 



215 



2l6 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

207. Results of the War ; Death of President Lincoln. — 

The cost of the war in hfe and treasure was enormous. 
Probably not less than seven hundred thousand men gave 
up their lives and the debt of the United States rose to 
three billion dollars. 

There were two great results from the war : ( i ) slavery 
was abolished throughout the United States, and (2) it was 
forever settled that a state could not leave the Union. 

There was joy throughout the nation at the return of 
peace, but this was suddenly turned into mourning. 

On the night of April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was 
shot in a theater in Washington by an actor named John 
Wilkes Booth, and died the following morning. Andrew 
Johnson, the Vice President, at once took the oath of office 
as President of the United States. 

SUMMARY 

THE CIVIL WAR 

i860 

The withdrawal of South Carolina from the Union (December 20) 
was followed within a few months by the secession of ten other states, 
— Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, 
Tennessee, and North Carolina. They formed the Confederate States 
of America. 

1861 

1. Montgomery, Alabama, was chosen as the capital of the Con- 
federate States of America. Jefferson Davis was elected president. 

2. Fort Sumter was shelled by the Confederate forces and com- 
pelled (April 14) to surrender. This was the beginning of the Civil War. 

3. The Union troops in the first great battle of the war were 
defeated (July 21) at Bull Run, or Manassas. 



THE CIVIL WAR 



1862 



217 



1. General McClellan with a large army moved up the York 
peninsula to attack Richmond. After many severe battles he was 
driven back to the James river. The Peninsular Campaign had 
failed. 

2. The Merrwiac and the Monitor fought (March 8) the first battle 
of ironclads in the history of the world. Neither vessel was able to 
destroy the other. 

3. General Grant captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in 
Tennessee and defeated the Confederates at Shiloh. 

4. General Lee tried to invade the North, but was met at Antietam 
by General McClellan and driven back into Virginia. 

5. The Union army under Burnside tried to push on to the capture 
of Richmond. It was defeated with fearful loss by General Lee at 
Fredericksburg. 

6. The Union fleet under Farragut ran past the forts that defended 
New Orleans and took that city. 

1863 

1. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued January i. It freed 
the slaves in all territory held by the Confederate forces. 

2. General Rosecrans, after winning the battles of luka and 
Corinth, won a great victory at Murfreesboro. 

3. The Union forces under Hooker were defeated with great loss 
at Chancellorsville. 

4. In a second invasion of the North, General Lee reached Gettys- 
burg. In this decisive battle (July 1-3) he was defeated by General 
Meade and retreated into Virginia. 

5. The fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson opened the entire 
Mississippi river to the Union forces and cut off Texas, Arkansas, and 
Louisiana from the other Confederate states. 

6. The Army of the Cumberland under Rosecrans moved against 
Bragg and took Chattanooga. 

7. At Chickamauga Bragg attacked Rosecrans, who fell back to 
Chattanooga. Here Bragg was defeated and retired to Georgia. 



21 8 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

1864 

1. General Sherman started on his march to the sea. He defeated 
Hood, took Atlanta, and captured Savannah. On this march he * 
destroyed everything that could be of u.se to the Confederate armies. 

2. General Grant moved against Richmond and fought with fear- 
ful losses the terrible batdes of the Wilderness. 

1865 

1. Grant captured Petersburg, one of the strong defenses of Rich- 
mond. 

2. Lee was compelled to abandon Richmond (April 2), and the 
Union forces entered the capital of the Confederacy. 

3. On April 9, General Lee surrendered his entire army to General 
Grant, and the great Civil War was at an end. 

Dates to be remembered : 

1 86 1- 1 865, the War for the Union. 
1863, the Emancipation Proclamation. 
1863, the batde of Gettysburg. 



CHAPTER XVn 
FROM JOHNSON TO HARRISON 

ANDREW JOHNSON, SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT 

(1 865- 1 869) 

208. Three Famous Amendments to the Constitution. — 
By the Emancipation Proclamation the slaves were set free 
only in the states held by the Confederate forces. The Proc- 
lamation had not destroyed the institution of slavery nor 
freed the slaves in the Union states. 

As any state could, if it wished, reestablish and maintain 
slavery, the Thirteenth Amendment was now passed. This 
amendment declared that " neither slavery nor involuntary 
servitude except as a punishment for crime . . . shall exist 
within the United States or any place subject to their 
jurisdiction." By the adoption (1865) of this amendment 
slavery was forever ended in the United States. 

Congress now passed many laws to protect the newly 
freed negroes of the South. These laws were finally embodied 
(1868) in the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. 
This amendment gave citizenship to the negro, with the 
right to sue in the United States courts. It provided that 
states should lose part of their representation in Congress if 
they refused the right to vote to any one except for rebel- 
lion. It also guaranteed the debt of the United States and 
declared the debt of the Confederate states null and void. 

219 



220 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

By the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) it was provided 
that neither the United States nor any state could abridge 
the rights of citizens of the United States to vote on account 
of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This gave 
the negro the right to vote. 

Ten years had brought about a wonderful change for the 
negro. Before the law he was now the equal of any one. 
From being merely property he had become a citizen with 
the great right to cast his vote in all elections. 

209. Impeachment of President Johnson. — President 
Johnson believed the southern leaders would treat the negro 
with fairness. He said that the Confederate states should be 
allowed to return at once to the Union. Congress declared 
that these states must agree to certain conditions before they 
would be allowed to send senators and representatives to 
Washington. 

The difference of opinion between the President and 
Congress now became very bitter. The House of Repre- 
sentatives at last (1868) impeached the President ''of high 
crimes and misdemeanors." He was tried by the Senate, 
as required by the Constitution of the United States, and 
acquitted by the narrow margin of one vote. 

210. Purchase of Alaska. — The last great addition to 
our territory on the continent of North America was made 
in 1867. 

Russia owned Alaska ^ and was willing to sell it to the 
United States. Our government purchased the tract for 
$7,200,000. For this sum almost six hundred thousand 
square miles were added to our territory, — an area ten 
times as large as the state of Illinois. 

' Alaska (a-las'ka). 



FROM JOHNSON TO HARRISON 221 

Alaska was organized as a territory in 1884. At this 
time its resources were largely lumber and furs, especially 
the skin of the seal. The discovery of gold in 1897 along 
the Yukon river and later at Cape Nome led to a great rush 
of thousands of miners to Alaska. 

211. The Atlantic Cable. — When Morse invented the 
magnetic telegraph he believed it would be possible within 
a short time to send messages to Europe. Many years 
passed before his dream was realized. It was finally Cyrus 
W. Field of New York who carried out successfully the 
plans for an ocean cable. 

The first cable was laid in 1858. The queen of England 
sent a message to President Buchanan and received a reply 
from him. In three weeks, however, the cable ceased to 
work. 

Another cable was laid (1865), but it broke in two in mid- 
ocean. Field was not discouraged by the ill success of his 
work. He organized another company, and a cable was at 
last (1866) successfully laid. A steamer was now sent back 
to midocean. It picked up from the depths of the sea the 
cable that had broken the year before, and spliced a new 
cable to it. 

Since that time many other cables have been laid, not 
only under the Atlantic but under all the great oceans 
as well. 

In 1903 a cable was laid under the Pacific ocean to the 
Hawaiian ^ islands and thence to Manila, the capital of the 
Philippines. The completion of this cable rendered it pos- 
sible for the first time to send a message by telegraph 
entirely around the world. 

1 Hawaiian (ha-wr-yan). 



222 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

ULYSSES S. GRANT, EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT 

(1S69-1877) 

212. The Pacific Railroad. — During the Civil War it was 
felt to be necessary that the Atlantic and Pacific states 
should be joined together by a railroad. Plans were drawn 
and the great work was soon begun. 

PVom the Missouri river the railroad was built westward 
across the prairies and the Rocky mountains. At the same 
time a company began at Sacramento ^ to build eastward 
over the Sierra Nevada ^ range. 

After great difficulties in building tunnels through the 
mountains, the railroad was completed, and the train from 
the East met (May 10, 1869) the train from the West not 
far from Ogden, Utah. The last spike driven was of gold. 

Other lines were built later, and one may now travel from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific in ease and comfort in less than 
five days. 

213. The Weather Bureau. — In 1870 Congress estab- 
lished the Weather Bureau with headquarters in Wash- 
ington. This bureau has branch stations in all sections of 
the country. 

Twice each day a report on the condition of the weather 
is telegraphed from every branch station to Washington. 
This enables the bureau to make a forecast or statement of 
what the weather will probably be for the following two days. 

The bureau has been of the greatest service to farmers 
in foretelling the coming of frosts and cold waves that 
would damage the crops. It has also saved thousands of 

^ Sacramento (sak-ra-men'to). 

2 Sierra Nevada (se-er'ra ne-va'da). 



FROM JOHNSON TO HARRISON 



223 



lives as well as millions of dollars' worth of shipping by 
sending notices of the approach of violent storms or hurri- 
canes. On receiving these notices, vessels stay in port until 
the storm has passed. 

214. The Centennial Exhibition. — The hundredth anni- 
versary of the independence of America was celebrated by 
a great exhibition in Philadelphia. From all the states of the 




A Western Railway 



Union as well as from foreign countries exhibits were sent 
to show the progress of the world in industry and art. At 
this exhibition there was shown an instrument for carrying 
the sound of the human voice. This was the telephone, 
which at that time was scarcely more than a toy. 

In 1877 a telephone line was erected between Boston 
and Salem. It proved to be successful. 



224 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

The use of the telephone spread rapidly over all the 
world, until it is now almost a necessity in the business 
and social life of the people. 

About this time Brush and Edison brought to perfection 
the electric light, which has done so much to brighten at 
night the streets, halls, and homes of our cities. 

215. The Electoral Commission. — At the close of Grant's 
administration the Democrats nominated Samuel J. Tilden 
as their candidate for President, and in the election he 
was apparently elected by a large majority not only of the 
electoral but also of the popular vote. 

The Republicans soon began to claim the election of their 
candidate, Rutherford B. Hayes. 

There was grave danger to the country in the dispute. 
It was therefore referred to an Electoral Commission of 
fifteen men, — five justices of the Supreme Court, five sena- 
tors, and five representatives. There were eight Republi- 
cans and seven Democrats on the commission, and by a 
strict party vote of 8 to 7 Hayes was seated in the presi- 
dential chair. 

During this administration Colorado, *' the centennial 
state," as it is called from the year (1876) of its admission, 
was added to the states of the Union. 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, NINETEENTH PRESIDENT 
(1877-1881) 

216. Withdrawal of Troops from the South. — President 
Hayes believed the time had come for withdrawing the 
United States troops that had been kept in many of the 
southern states. 



FROM JOHNSON TO HARRISON 225 

Soon after taking his seat he recalled (1877) all the 
troops from the South and allowed that section to set up 
its own state governments. 

There had been senators and representatives in Wash- 
ington from every southern state since 1871. With the 
full establishment of state governments the Union was 
once more completely restored. Northern adventurers, or 
"carpetbaggers," as they were called, had secured control 
of some of the southern states by means of the negro vote, 
and had robbed the state treasuries of millions of dollars. 
This era of corruption now came to an end with the with- 
drawal of the troops, and the carpetbaggers fled. 

GARFIELD AND ARTHUR, TWENTIETH AND 
TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENTS (1881-1885) 

217. The Election of Garfield. — The election of 1880 
was hotly contested. The Democrats named as their can- 
didate General Winfield Scott Hancock, the heroic soldier 
who had aided so much in winning the victory of Gettys- 
burg. The Republicans nominated General James A. 
Garfield, who was-^ected. 

President Garfield had been in office only a few months 
when he was shot in a railway station by a disappointed 
office seeker. The President lingered during the summer 
in great suffering and died September 19. Vice President 
Arthur at once succeeded to the presidency. 

218. Chinese Exclusion Act ; Alien Contract Labor Law ; 
Civil-Service Reform. — It was believed by many that the 
Chinese should not be allowed to come to America. There 
are so many people in China who are willing to work for 



226 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

low wages that our country, it was declared, would soon 
be flooded with cheap labor. A law prohibiting Chinese 
laborers from coming to America for a period of ten years 
was therefore passed (1882). 

Another bill to protect American labor now became a 
law. Many corporations that did not wish to pay living 
wages were accustomed to send agents abroad to hire 
foreign workmen to come to America under contract. 

The passage of the Alien Contract Labor Law (1885) 
put an end to these abuses. 

Among the many excellent deeds of his administration, 
President Arthur gave the aid of his great office in reform- 
ing the civil service. Civil-service reform means that ap- 
pointments are to be made on the basis of fitness and not 
at the suggestion of a political leader. Although there were 
many difficulties at the outset, President Arthur greatly 
aided the good work, which has since been continued. 

GROVER CLEVELAND, TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT 

(1 885-1 889) 

219. The Washington Monument. — As early as 1848 
work was begun on a monument in honor of George 
Washington at the nation's capital. This monument was 
built of marble in the form of a shaft. Many rulers of 
foreign lands sent stones to be placed on its inside walls. 

This massive structure is five hundred and fifty-five feet 
in height, and is the highest monument in the world. It 
was dedicated with impressive ceremonies in 1885. 

220. Important Laws ; the Presidential Succession Act 
and Interstate Commerce Law. — The death of President 



FROM JOHNSON TO HARRISON 



227 



Garfield in office led Congress to pass new laws to pre- 
vent, if possible, further disputes over the presidency. By 
the Presidential Succession Act, in case both the President 
and the Vice President should die, the office of President 
would pass to the Secretary of 
State ; in case he died, to the 
Secretary of the Treasury, and so 
on through seven members of the 
Cabinet. 

The trouble over the election of 
1876 led to the framing of a law to 
arrange for the count of the elec- 
toral votes and to prevent here- 
after disputes in counting them. 

Another important law, called 
the Interstate Commerce Act, was 
enacted in 1887. Under this law 
the Interstate Commerce Com- 
mission was created. One of the 
duties of the commission is to 
supervise railroad tariffs or charges 
and, if possible, to prevent rail- 
roads from giving to certain cor- 
porations or individuals special 
favorable rates. It was the granting of these special rates 
that has made it possible for certain trusts to ruin their 
competitors in business. 

Near the close of his term President Cleveland sent a 
message to Congress asking for a reduction in the tariff 
for the benefit of the people. The tariff became a lead- 
ing issue in the next election, and President Cleveland was 




The Washington 
Monument 



228 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

defeated by Benjamin Harrison, who had been nominated 
by the Repubhcans. 

SUMMARY 

/. Johnson's Administration (1865- 1869). 

1. The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments were 
added to the Constitution of the United States. By these amendments 
slavery was forever abolished and the negro was granted citizenship 
and the right to vote. 

2. The dispute between President Johnson and Congress led to his 
impeachment. He was tried by the Senate of the United States and 
was acquitted by one vote. 

3. In 1867 Russia sold the territory of Alaska to the United States 
for $7,200,000. Six hundred thousand square miles were added to 
our territory. 

4. After many efforts the Atlantic cable was successfully laid in 
1866. A cable was laid under the Pacific ocean in 1903 to the 
Hawaiian islands, and to Manila in the Philippines. 

//. G7'ant''s A dministration ( 1 869- 1877). 

1 . The first transcontinental railway was completed in 1 869. 

2. The Weather Bureau was established in 1872 to forecast the 
weather and to give warnings of storms, severe frosts, or cold waves. 
This bureau has been the means of saving thousands of lives and 
millions of dollars' worth of property. 

3. The Centennial Exhibition was held in Philadelphia in 1876. 

4. The great election dispute of 1876 was setded by the appoint- 
ment of an Electoral Commission. This commission decided that 
Hayes had been elected. 

5. In 1876 Colorado was admitted to the Union. 

///. Hayes's A dministration ( 1 8 7 7- 1 8 8 1 ) . 

The United States troops were withdrawn from the South and the 
southern states were allowed to rule their own affairs. 



FROM JOHNSON TO HARRISON 229 

IV. Gar-field and Arthur's Admiriistration ( 1 88 i-i 885). 

1. The Chinese Exclusion Act and the Ahen Contract Labor Law 
were passed to regulate the admission of foreign labor to the United 
States. 

2. President Arthur gave great aid in placing the reform of the 
civil service on a finn foundation. 

V. Grover Cleveland's Aduiinistration (1885-1889). 

1. The Washington Monument, the highest in the world, was com- 
pleted and dedicated. 

2. Among the important laws of this administration were the Presi- 
dential Succession Act, to regulate the succession to the presidency, 
and the Interstate Commerce Law, which created a commission to 
supervise railroad tariffs. 



CHAPTER XVIII 
FROM HARRISON TO ROOSEVELT 

BENJAMIN HARRISON, TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT 

(1 889- 1 893) 

221. The Opening of Oklahoma. — The western part of 
Indian territory was a beautiful land which belonged largely 
to the Seminole Indians. Congress bought from these 
Indians about forty thousand square miles, an area nearly 
equal to the state of Ohio. 

This vast territory was to be thrown open April 22, 
1889. Tens of thousands of people came to the borders of 
the tract on foot, on horseback, or in carriages, and waited 
eagerly for the hour of opening. 

At noon of the appointed day the bugle sounded and 
with a wild rush thousands of people poured into the terri- 
tory. Guthrie at noon was the open prairie and at night 
had a population of ten thousand people. 

With such rapidity did the settlers pour in that eleven 
years later, when the United States census was taken, there 
were almost four hundred thousand people in the territory. 

222. New States. — To all parts of the great West the 
colonists came in large numbers to build up homes and to till 
the great wheat fields. New state governments were organized 
on all sides. In a single year (1889) North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Montana, and Washington were admitted to the 
Union, and Idaho and Wyoming became states one year later. 

230 



FROM HARRISON TO ROOSEVELT 



2^1 



GROVER CLEVELAxND, TWENTY-FOURTH PRESIDENT 

(1893-1897) 

223. The Columbian Exposition. — The four hundredth 
anniversary of the discovery of America by Cohimbus was 
celebrated (1893) by a great exposition in Chicago. The 
beautiful white buildings were filled with valuable exhibits 
from the entire world. 

Norway sent a ship like those in which the Northmen 
are supposed to have cruised along the coasts of Europe 
and perhaps of America almost one thousand years ago. 

Spain built three vessels exactly similar to those in 
which Columbus braved the stormy Atlantic. Here one 




Honolulu, Hawahan Islands 

could see an exact reproduction of the monastery of Palos, 
where the Franciscans gave Columbus his first aid toward 
the discovery of America. 

224. Annexation of Hawaii. — The Hawaiian islands, two 
thousand miles southwest of San Francisco, were discov- 
ered by Captain Cook, an English navigator. Cook soon 



232 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

lost his life here in a battle with the natives. The islands 
were seen to have great value from their position "at the 
crossroads of the Pacific," and it is probable that many 
European nations were anxious to annex them. A revolu- 
tion against the monarchy of the islands broke out in 1893, 
and it was successful partly through the aid of the sailors 




The Palace in Honolulu 



from a United States war vessel at that time in the harbor 
of Honolulu. A new government was set up under Ameri- 
can protection, and commissioners were sent to Washington 
to bring about annexation with the United States. A 
treaty was arranged by President Harrison and sent to the 
United States Senate. 

Before the Senate acted upon it President Cleveland 
came into office. He withdrew the treaty, as he believed 
a United States war vessel had no right to aid in the 



FROM HARRISON TO ROOSEVELT 



233 



overthrow of an existing government and refused to con- 
tinue the American protectorate. 

Hawaii thereupon became a repubhc, and was recognized 
by President Cleveland, who issued a proclamation. Four 
years later (1898), under President McKinley, Hawaii was 
annexed to the United States. 

In 1896 the territory of Utah entered the Union. It was 
the forty-fifth state to be admitted. 



WILLIAM McKINLEY, TWENTY-FIFTH PRESIDENT 
(1897-1901) 

225. War with Spain. — For many years there had been 
rebellions in Cuba against the government of Spain. These 
revolutions aroused the sympathy of many people in the 





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United States, who were led to believe that the natives of 
this beautiful island were not well treated. The United 
States government was asked to interfere in behalf of the 
Cuban people, but it declined to do so, as we were at peace 
with Spain. 



234 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

To protect American interests, however, the battleship 
Maine was sent to Havana. On the night of February 15, 
1898, the Maine was blown up at her anchorage with the 
loss of two hundred and sixty men. No one knows how 



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the explosion came about, but the feeling against Spain 
became very bitter throughout the United States. 

Congress passed resolutions demanding that Spain give 
up Cuba, and authorized the President to carry them out 
by force if necessary. On April 25, 1898, war with Spain 
was declared. 

226. Battle of Manila, May i, 1898. — A squadron of 
United States war vessels was in Hongkong under Com- 
modore George Dewey. He was ordered to go to Manila 
and to destroy the Spanish fleet there. 

Dewey crossed the South China sea and drew near the 
Philippine islands. Long before daybreak on Sunday morn- 
ing, May I, he arrived at the entrance to the great bay of 
Manila.! 

1 Manila {ma-niKa). 



FROM HARRISON TO ROOSEVELT 



235 



The Spaniards had taken no measures to defend the 
narrow entrance, and Dewey's vessels sailed in without 
difficulty. As the day began to dawn the Americans saw 
before them the towers and steeples of the city of Manila. 

The navy yard of Cavite ^ is eight miles to the southwest 
of Manila. Here the Spanish fleet was at anchor, and 
Dewey at once turned his squadron to attack it. The ves- 
sels of the Spaniards were inferior to the splendid war ships 
of Dewey, and the Spanish sailors were very poor marks- 
men. The result of the battle was a complete victory for 




Admiral Dewfa' and his Flagship 

the Americans. They lost neither a ship nor a man, while 
the Spanish fleet was utterly destroyed. 

227. The War in Cuba ; the Naval Victory at Santiago. 

— In the meantime our army had landed in eastern Cuba. 

1 Cavite (ka-ve'ta). 



236 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Here they met (July 1-2, 1898) the Spaniards at Caney^ 
and San Juan,^ and drove them back into Santiago,'^ where 
another Spanish fleet which had come across the Atlantic 
was at anchor in the harbor. This fleet was blockaded by 
the American war ships, but on July 3 the vessels were 




Attacking a Spanish Blockhouse 

seen dashing at full speed out of the harbor. They were 
at once attacked by the American fleet and completely 
destroyed. The American loss was one man. Not a vessel 
was injured. Santiago now surrendered, and Porto Rico 
was captured without resistance by General Miles. 

1 Caney (ka'ne). ^ San Juan (san whan'). ^ Santiago (san-te-a'go). 



FROM HARRISON TO ROOSEVELT 



237 



228. Treaty of Peace. — The Spanish government now 
asked for peace. The final treaty was signed December 10, 
1898. By this treaty Spain ceded to the United States 
the entire Phihppine archipelago, the island of Guami in the 
Ladrone group, and Porto Rico. Spain acknowledged the 
independence of Cuba.^ 

For three years the United States directed the affairs of 
Cuba,2 until May 20, 1902, when the flag of Cuba was- raised 
over the Morro of Havana, and Cuba became a republic^ 

229. Growth of the United States. — It may be interest- 
ing to study here the territorial growth of the United States 
to the present day. 



I. 


Louisiana Purchase (1803) 


6. 


Gadsden Purchase (1853) 


2. 


Florida (18 19) 


7- 


Alaska (1867) 


3- 


Texas (1845) 


8. 


Spanish Cession (1898) 


4- 


Oregon ( 1 846) 




Philippine Islands 


5- 


Mexican Cession (1848) 




Porto Rico 




California 




Guam 




New Mexico 


9- 


Hawaii (1898) 




Utah 


10. 


Tutuila (1900) 




Colorado (in part) 








Arizona (in part) 







230. American Rule in the Philippines. — The Philippines 
were discovered by Magellan in 1521 (see p. 25). Under 
many brave leaders, like Legaspi ^ and Salcedo,^ the flag of 



1 Guam (gwam). 

2 Under the direction of General Brooke, the mihtary governor, school, 
were established throughout Cuba. The yellow fever scourge was drive; 
out by the discovery at this time of the mosquito that spreads the terribl 
disease. 

^ Two naval stations, Guantanamo and Bahi'a Honda, were ceded b; 
Cuba to the United States. 

* Legaspi (le-gas'pe). ^ Salcedo (sal-sa'do). 



238 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Spain was firml}' planted there, and the great city of Manila 
was founded (1571) at the mouth of the Pasig^ river. 

On the arrival of the Spaniards the population num- 
bered about half a million of barbaric people. They were 
for the most part Malays. 

Under the direction of the Augustinians, the Jesuits, and 
other religious orders, the natives were converted to Chris- 
tianity and were civilized. So successful was this work 
that the population at the beginning of the twentieth cen- 
tury numbered about eight millions,^ and the Filipinos were 
the only Christian people in the Orient. 

After the victory of Dewey at Manila the Filipinos met 
in convention at Malolos ^ and organized a republic. When 
the treaty with Spain ceded the Islands to the United States, 
the natives under Aguinaldo * rose (February 4, 1 899) in 
rebellion. A bitter warfare followed, until Aguinaldo was 
captured and his armed bands scattered. 

A Civil Commission was now appointed to rule the 
Islands, schools were everywhere opened, a new coinage 
was introduced, and roads were improved. It is hoped that 
through these measures an era of peace, prosperity, and 
happiness now awaits the Filipino people. 

231. The Pan-American Exposition ; Death of McKinley. 
— A congress of the representatives of the Central and 
South American republics had been held in Washington 
in 1889. This congress, called the Pan-American,^ was 

1 Pasig (pa-sec'). 

2 During this time the American Indians have not only not increased, but 
have probably slightly decreased in numbers. 

3 Malolos (ma-lo'los). ^ Aguinaldo (a-ge-nal'do). 

^ Pan is a Greek word and means all. In this congress were representa- 
tives from practically all the nations of the western hemisphere. 




239 



240 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

designed to join in closer relations the republics of the 
New World. 

Twelve years later (1901) at Buffalo the beautiful Pan- 
American Exposition was opened. Its purpose was to 
show the wonderful resources of the republics of North, 




Theodore Roosevelt 



Central, and South America, and to unite them in a^bond 
of lasting brotherhood. 

On September 6, 1901, President McKinley visited the 
exposition, and was shot by an anarchist while giving a 
public reception. He died eight days later, and Vice Presi- 
dent Roosevelt took the oath of office. 



FROM HARRISON TO ROOSEVELT 



241 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT, TWENTY-SLXTH PRESIDENT 

(1901- ) 

232. The Panama Canal For many years, even from 

the days of the Spanish explorers, the value of a canal to 
pierce the isthmus of Panama was recognized. A French 
company began the work, but failed from lack of money. 




The United States and its Possessions (in black) 



In 1902 the Congress of the United States bought the 
rights and property of the French company and voted to 
build the canal. 

Panama, through which the canal is to run, was one of 
the states of the republic of Colombia. A treaty between 
Colombia and the United States was drawn up, but the 
government of Colombia failed to accept it. 



242 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

The state of Panama now revolted and became (1904) an 
independent republic. This republic at once made a treaty 



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The Louisiana Purchase Exposition 



with the United States and ceded for a large annual rental 
a strip of territory ten miles wide for the canal. 



FROM HARRISON TO ROOSEVELT 



243 



233. The Louisiana Purchase Exposition. — The pupil 
will remember that it was in 1803 that President Jefferson 
bought the vast Louisiana territory from France (see p. 134). 
In that territory, which was then a wilderness, have since 
arisen many great states in which are large cities and towns, 
the homes of millions of happy people. 

The hundredth anniversary of the crowning event of 
Jefferson's administration was celebrated by the great Lou- 
isiana Purchase Exposition. Twelve hundred acres were 
covered with massive and beautiful buildings, erected by 
the states and territories of the Union and by the nations 
of the earth. The exposition was the greatest the world 
has ever seen. 

In the national election of 1904 the Republicans were 
successful and Theodore Roosevelt was elected President. 



QUESTIONS 



Section 1. Who were the earliest natives of America? What 
was their appearance ? Why were they called Indians ? 

2. In what kind of homes did the Indians live ? What was a 
wigwam ? Did the Iroquois live in wigwams ? What kind of homes 
did the Indians of the southwestern part of the country have ? What 
were the cliff dwellings ? 

3. What did the Indians wear? What weapons did they use? 
How did they travel through the lakes and rivers ? What was a 
portage ? 

4. What did the Indians learn in the forest? How did the Indians 
treat one another in war ? How did the Indians endure torture ? What 
was the scalp lock ? What did the Indians do with the scalp lock ? 

5. What did the squaw do? Did women have much influence 
with the tribe ? How did the Indians travel ? What were the trails ? 
What has the white man done with these trails ? What domestic 
animals did the white man bring to the Indians ? What was a clan ? 
What was the totem ? What was a tribe ? What did the Indians 
believe about " manitos " ? 

6. Who were the first white men to reach America ? Where did 
the Northmen come from ? What lands had they visited ? Who was 
Leif Ericson? Were there any lasting results of the visits of the 
Northmen ? 

7. Why did Europe begin to take an interest in the East ? Where 
did the Franciscan friars go in 1245 ? What famous Venetian arrived 
in Venice from a long trip to the East ? What lands had he visited ? 
What was the effect of the book of Marco Polo ? 

8. Where was Christopher Columbus born ? What did he do as 
a boy ? What did he believe as the result of his studies ? Why did 
he wish to reach India ? What were the routes to India at this time ? 
Why did Europe seek new routes ? 

245 



246 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

9. What did Columbus declare about the shape of the earth ? 
What was Columbus's nature ? What did he feel himself called upon 
to do ? Why did he wish to secure wealth ? Where did Columbus 
first go with his plans ? Why did he go to Portugal ? 

10. Where did Columbus go from Portugal ? Who aided him on 
his arrival in Spain ? Why did the Spanish rulers not take up 
Columbus's plans at once ? 

11. What did Isabella do later.? What was the verdict of the 
council .'' What did Isabella offer to do, if necessary, to help 
Columbus } 

12. Why did Columbus find it difficult to secure men and ships .? 
What did Columbus and his men do before starting on their long 
journey? In what direction did Columbus steer.? What islands did 
they see ? 

13. What did Columbus say to his discontented sailors? What 
signs did Columbus see that told him land was near ? On what date 
did Columbus see the New World ? 

14. What did Columbus do on landing? What did he name the 
new country ? What did he call the natives ? What large island did 
Columbus discover ? What welcome did he receive in Spain on his 
return ? 

15. What later voyages did Columbus make ? What did the 
Spanish rulers wish the colonists to become ? How did they assist 
the colonists ? What was the nature of the colonial laws of Spain ? 
Were the natives as a rule well treated ? Were the last years of 
Columbus happy ? When did the great explorer die ? What did he 
believe to the end of his life ? 

16. Who was John Cabot? Why did he apply to the king of 
England ? What did he discover ? What did England claim as a 
result of Cabot's voyage ? 

17. Why did the Portuguese send vessels along the coast of 
Africa? What did Diaz find in i486? What was the result of 
Vasco da Gama's voyage ? Why did Europe lose interest in the 
voyages of Columbus? 

18. Who was Americus Vespucius? What was the result of his 
voyage? How did America obtain its name? To how much of the 
New World was the name America first applied ? 



QUESTIONS 247 

**^ 

19. What did Balboa discover ? In whose name did he take pos- 
session of the Pacific ? 

20. Who was Ponce de Leon } What wonderful fountain did he 
wish to find.? What land did he discover? ^,. 

21. When did the Spaniards land in Mexico? Who was their 
leader ? Who were the Aztecs ? Who was Montezuma ? What did 
Cortes resolve to do when he saw the rich gifts of Montezuma ? 

22. Who joined Cortes? What did Cortes do to Montezuma? 
What effect did the imprisonment of Montezuma have on the Aztecs ? 
How did they treat Montezuma's appeal to them ? When did Cortes 
finally capture the city of Mexico ? Who conquered Peru ? 

23. Who was Magellan? What did he hope to do? Where did 
he sail with his fleet ? How did they suffer on their long journey ? 

24. What islands did Magellan discover? When did he discover 
the Philippine islands? Whence came this name? How many of 
the vessels ever reached Spain again ? What did Magellan's voyage 
prove? How long did Spain hold possession of the Philippines ? 

25. What did Coronado seek? When did he start? How far did 
he travel ? What famous animal was he the first white man to see ? 

26. What country did De Soto explore ? What great river did he 
see ? Where was he buried ? 

27. What is the oldest city in the United States ? Who founded 
it? What was the second oldest setdement in the United States? 
Why was it founded ? 

28. When did French fishermen first come to America ? Whom did 
the king of France send in 1 535 on a voyage of discovery to America ? 
What great gulf did Cartier discover ? What did he name it ? J , -', 

29. What river did Cartier explore on his second voyage ? What 
did Cartier see on the site of Quebec ? What right did this voyage 
give to the king of France ? 

30. Who carried on the work of Cartier? Where was the first 
permanent French settlement in America ? 

31. What did Champlain do? W^hat large lake did he discover? 
How did he try to convert the Indians ? What was the effect of 
Champlain's battle with the Iroquois ? 

32. What missionaries went westward with Champlain to convert 
the Indians ? Where were the missions founded ? 



248 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

33. Who was Father Marquette ? What river did he try to find ? 
Who went with him on his long journey ? 

34. What did Marquette name the Mississippi ? How far did the 
explorers go ? Why did they not go farther ? What did their journey 
prove ? 

35-36. What did La Salle hope to do for France ? Where did he 
go? How long did it take La Salle to reach the mouth of the Mis- 
sissippi ? Who was Father Hennepin ? What country did he explore ? 

37. What did La Salle do when he reached the gulf of Mexico? 
For whom did he claim the country ? What name did he give to it ? 

38. Where did La Salle go ? What did the king of France do ? 
Where did La Salle lead his new expedition ? What was the fate of 
La Salle ? 

39. What forts did the French now build ? What setdement did 
Cadillac found ? What did the French build along the Ohio ? Why 
did they plant the plates of lead and pewter ? 

40. Why did England claim the continent of North America? 
Who were Hawkins and Drake ? How long after Columbus's great 
discovery did England attempt to found settlements ? 

41. To what two companies did England grant charters for 
colonies? Where did the Plymouth Company send their colonists? 
What was the result? Where did the London Company setUe ? 
What was the name of the first permanent English settlement in 
America? When was it founded? 

42. Was the colony at first successful ? Why did it not succeed ? 
To whom did the colony owe its life ? What did John Smith do ? 
Why did he explore the country ? 

43. What happened to John Smith while a prisoner of Powhatan ? 
What was the later history of Pocahontas ? 

44. What happened in Virginia after the return of John Smith to 
England? How w^as the colony saved? What was the result of the 
Indian war ? 

45. What did the colonists now ask for ? Where did the assembly 
meet ? Why is this a most important event ? 

46. What occurrence makes the year 1619 important ? Were there 
other than negro slaves in Virginia? How did they reach America? 
How long could the white slaves be held to service ? 



QUESTIONS 249 

47-48. What did the cultivation of tobacco do for Virginia ? How 
was the value of goods reckoned in this colony ? How did the cultiva- 
tion of tobacco affect life in Virginia ? Were there many towns in 
Virginia ? Why not ? 

49. Why did Lord Baltimore seek to found a colony in America ? 
Where did he receive the grant ? Why did he name it Maryland ? 

50. What powers did Lord Baltimore receive ? Where did the 
colonists make a settlement? How did they secure their land from 
the Indians ? Was the colony successful ? 

51. Who was Claiborne? What was the cause of his rebellion? 
What famous act did the Maryland assembly pass in 1649? What 
did the Puritans do when they arrived in large numbers? Who 
restored the Act of Toleration ? 

52. What was the later position of the Catholics in the colony ? 
Who founded Annapolis ? When was Baltimore founded ? 

53. What did King Charles the Second do in 1663 ? What was the 
name of the territory which Charles granted ? How far did it stretch ? 
When was Charleston founded ? Was it an important city ? 

54. How was Carolina divided ? What great industries arose in 
South Carolina ? Why did slavery flourish in South Carolina ? What 
were the products of North Carolina ? Where were they sold ? Was 
freedom of worship allowed in these colonies ? 

55. What was the law of England regarding debtors ? What did 
Oglethorpe try to do ? What military plans did he form ? Where was 
his grant situated ? 

56. What was the chief settlement of the colony ? What did 
Oglethorpe attempt to cultivate ? 

57. Why did Oglethorpe attack the Spaniards? What was the 
result of his campaign ? Who could be members of the Georgia 
assembly ? What church was established by law ? 

58. Who was the first European to enter the harbor of New York ? 
What river did Estevan Gdmez discover? Under what flag did 
Henry Hudson sail ? What river did he explore ? 

59. What was the result of Hudson's voyage ? Where did the Dutch 
West India Company found a colony ? What was the colony named ? 

60. What fort did the Dutch erect on the upper Hudson river? 
What was this settlement later called ? With what Indian confederation 



250 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

did the Dutch form a treaty? What was the result of this treaty? 
What posts were founded by the Dutch on the Delaware and Con- 
necticut rivers ? 

61. Who were the patroons ? Why did the Dutch colony grow 
slowly ? 

62. Who founded the colony of New Sweden? Why was the 
colony surrendered to the Dutch ? 

63. Who claimed the territory occupied by the Dutch ? When was 
it taken by the English ? What type of man was Peter Stuyvesant ? 
To what was the name New Amsterdam changed ? 

64. When did the Dutch regain New York? How long did they 
hold it? Who was Thomas Dongan ? What famous charter did 
Dongan's assembly pass ? 

65. What was the first settlement in Jersey? To whom was the 
territory between the Hudson and Delaware rivers given in 1664? 
Why was it named New Jersey ? Who founded Newark ? 

66. How was New Jersey divided ? To whom did Berkeley sell 
West Jersey? Who bought East Jersey? When did it become a 
separate province ? 

67-68. Who was William Penn ? Why did the king grant him a 
large tract in America? What rent did he pay? When was Phila- 
delphia founded ? With whom did Penn make a famous treaty ? 

69. How did the Indians keep a record of this treaty? Why did 
Penn buy Delaware ? 

70. Who were the Pilgrims? Why did they leave England? 
What did the Pilgrims do in the cabin of the Mayflower? 

71. What did they name their new town ? What happened during 
the first winter? What was the town meeting? 

72-73. What did the Indians teach the colonists? Who was 
Massasoit? What did he wnsh to do? Was the treaty kept ? Who 
was Canonicus? 

74. Why were the Puritans so named ? Where did they settle ? 
What was their mode of life ? What severe laws did they pass ? 

75. Where was the grant to Mason and Gorges situated ? What 
towns were founded here? How was the territory divided? What 
was the eastern section called? When was Maine separated from 
Massachusetts and admitted to the Union? 



QUESTIONS 



251 



76. What was the western part of the Mason and Gorges grant 
called? When did it become a separate colony? What colonies 
claimed Vermont ? What did Ethan Allen do ? When was Vemiont 
admitted to the Union ? 

77-78. Who claimed the territory' along the Connecticut ? Who 
founded Windsor? How was Hartford founded? What towns 
formed the union of 1639? What type of laws governed the New 
Haven colony? When was New Haven joined to Connecticut? 

79. What colonies fomied the New England Confederation of 
1634 ? Why was it planned ? What were its results ? 

80-81. Why was Roger W^illiams compelled to leave Salem? 
Where did he go ? Who befriended him ? What settlement did he 
found ? What were his ideas regarding religious freedom ? 

82-83. Who were the Pequots ? What was the result of the 
Pequot War? Who was "King" Philip? What happened to him 
and his Indians? 

84. Why did the French build forts in the West? What was the 
result of this action? What was the first French and Indian war 
called ? How long did it last ? What did the Indians do in this contest ? 

85. What was the second French and Indian war called ? What 
towns were burned ? How long did the contest last ? What was the 
result ? 

86. When did war again break out between France and England ? 
What strongly fortified French post fell in this war ? 

87-88. Why is the last French and Indian war called the Seven 
Years' War? What were the French plans at this time? What 
famous man here appears for the first time ? What was Washington 
sent to do ? 

89. What did the governor of Virginia do at this time ? What 
did the French name their fort on the Monongahela? What hap- 
pened to Washington and his army at Fort Necessity ? How were the 
Indians divided in the great struggle between France and England? 

90. What did England now do? How did Braddock regard the 
Indians? What happened to him and his army? Who saved the 
entire army from destruction? 

91. Who were the Acadians ? What hearUess measure was carried 
out against them by the English ? 



252 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

92-93. How did the great war close? Who made plans to take 
the city of Quebec ? When did Wolfe move against the city ? How 
did he reach the Plains of Abraham ? What was the result of the 
fall of Quebec ? What did England gain in the treaty of peace ? 

94. Who was Pontiac ? What did he plan to do ? What was the 
result of his war ? 

95. What new dangers now faced the colonists? How did the 
king of England plan to pay the expenses of the recent war ? What 
was the Stamp Tax? How did the colonists view the Stamp Tax? 

96. What unjust laws did the merchants of England secure from 
Parliament ? How did they affect the colonists ? 

97. What did the colonists do to secure the repeal of the Stamp 
Tax ? What did Parliament do ? 

98. What did the colonists say about the tax on tea? What 
happened to the tea sent to Boston ? 

99. What did the king of England do after the Boston Tea Party ? 
What was the purpose of the meeting in Carpenters' Hall, Phila- 
delphia ? What resolution did the First Continental Congress pass ? 

100. Why did the British commander send troops to Concord? 
What did Paul Revere do? What happened at Lexington? What 
was the date of the opening battle of the Revolution ? 

101. What took place at Concord? What was the result of this 
battle to the British ? 

102. Where is Bunker Hill? What was the result of the British 
attack on this fortified post ? 

103. What did General Montgomery and General Arnold hope to 
do ? What was the result of the attack of the Americans on Quebec ? 
Why was an embassy sent to Quebec ? Why was it not successful ? 

104. What did the Second Continental Congress now do ? What 
did Washington do in March, 1776? WHien did the British leave 
Boston ? 

105. What were the defenses of Charleston ? What was the result 
of the British attack ? Who was made famous by a brave exploit here ? 

106. What were the ideas of the colonists at the beginning of the 
Revolution ? What were their ideas now ? What were the immortal 
resolutions of the Second Continental Congress ? By whom was the 
Declaration of Independence largely written ? 



QUESTIONS 253 

107. What was the result of the battle of Brooklyn? How was. 
Washington's army saved ? 

108. W^ho was Nathan Hale ? Why was he executed ? 

109. Where did W^ashington go after the battle of Brooklyn? 
What happened at the Delaware river ? 

110. What did Washington do on Christmas night, 1776? Who 
were the Hessians ? What was the result of the battle of Trenton ? 

111. What did Washington do at Princeton ? What foreign noble- 
men came at this time to help the Americans ? 

112. What plan did Burgoyne form for his campaign? What was 
the result of his attack on Bennington ? 

113. When did Burgoyne surrender? What was the effect of his 
surrender ? 

114. What two defeats did Washington now suffer? When 
did the British capture Philadelphia ? W^here did the Americans 
spend the fearful winter ? What did the British do when the 
news of the French alliance reached America ? What was the result 
at Monmouth ? 

115. Who was Daniel Boone? What did Boone do at the out- 
break of the Revolution ? Who founded Tennessee ? 

116-117. Why did George Rogers Clark plan to capture the Brit- 
ish forts of the West ? How did he take Fort Kaskaskia ? Who aided 
him in the capture of Fort Vincennes ? What was the result of 
Clark's victories ? 

118-119. What general became a traitor to the American cause? 
What favor did he ask of Washington ? Who was selected by the 
British government to help Arnold ? What happened to Andre on his 
return from a visit to Arnold ? What was the fate of Andre ? What 
did Arnold do later ? 

120. How did the United States plan to attack England on the 
sea? Who is the father of the American navy? What famous cruise 
did John Paul Jones make ? What was the result of Jones's naval 
battle ? 

121. Where were the British forces at this time very successful? 
Who commanded the Americans in the defeat at Savannah ? What 
greater disaster soon befell the patriots at Charleston ? What was the 
result of the battle of Camden ? 



254 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

122-123. What appointment turned the tide for the Americans ? 
What was Marion's plan of fighting? What was the effect of the 
great victory of Kings Mountain ? 

124-125. Who won the battle of the Cowpens ? What did Greene 
compel Cornwallis to do ? Wliat was Washington's plan at this time ? 
Where did the French fleet appear ? What was the date of the sur- 
render of Cornwallis .'' 

126. How was the news of Cornwallis's surrender received in the 
colonies and in Paris ? What was the result of the treaty of peace 
between England and the United States ? 

127. What territory in the West did the states claim.? How were 
these claims adjusted.? What was the Ordinance of 1787.? What 
were the provisions of this ordinance.? 

128-129. Why did we need a new Constitution ? Who were some 
of the leading men at the Constitutional Convention ? When was the 
new Constitution adopted ? What were the leading provisions of the 
new Constitution ? 

130-131. Who was the first President of the United States ? When 
was Washington inaugurated? What was the financial condition of 
the country at this time ? What is a tariff ? What was it decided 
to do about the state debts ? Who carried through this measure ? 

132-133. When were Marietta and Cincinnati founded ? Who 
defeated the Indians on the Maumee ? Who invented the cotton gin ? 
What was the effect of this invention ? 

134-135. What did Washington do regarding a third temi ? When 
did he die ? Where was President Adams inaugurated ? What states 
gave to the nation the District of Columbia ? 

136. What was the cause of our trouble with France ? What did 
our government decide to do ? What was the result of this decision ? 
What was " the X, Y, Z Affair " ? 

137-138. What were the Alien and Sedition Laws? What did 
Kentucky and Virginia do regarding these laws? When was Louisi- 
ana ceded to the United States ? What was the result of this purchase ? 

139-140. Why was the Lewis and Clark expedition sent to explore 
the far West ? Who discovered the Columbia river ? Why was the 
Lewis and Clark expedition important? What was the embargo? 
What was its effect? 



QUESTIONS 255 

141-142. Who built the first steamboat? When did Fulton sail 
the Clermont to Albany ? When did the first steamboat cross the 
Atlantic ? 

143-147. What was the cause of the War of 181 2? Which was 
the stronger in men and ships, the United States or Great Britain ? 
What was the plan of campaign ? How did the plan succeed ? Who 
won the battle of lake Erie ? What was the result of this battle ? 
Who won the battle of the Thames ? What noted Indian chief was 
killed here ? What famous general won the Indian battle of Tohopeka ? 

148-149. Where was Lundy's Lane ? Who won the naval battle 
of Plattsburg? What happened to the city of Washington? What 
famous song did Francis Scott Key write ? What was thought in 
England of the burning of Washington ? 

150-151. How many battles were won by the Americans on the 
sea ? Which were the more famous of these battles ? Who won the 
battle of New Orleans ? When was it fought ? What was the great 
result of the War of 1 8 1 2 ? 

152-155. Why did General Jackson go to Florida ? How did the 
United States secure the Florida country ? What caused the discus- 
sion of the slavery question at this time ? What was the Missouri 
Compromise ? What was the result of the compromise ? What two 
great questions came before President Monroe ? What was the 
Monroe Doctrine ? What famous hero visited the United States at 
this time ? Of what great monument did Lafayette lay the corner 
stone ? 

156-159. What was the National Road? What three great routes 
led to the West ? Who built the Erie canal ? What were its results ? 
What did Charles Carroll of Carrollton do July 4, 1828? How were 
the first railroads built? How did they compare with the railway 
systems of the present day ? 

160-162. What difference of opinion was growing in the country 
at this time? How did the North look on the tariff? Did the South 
favor it? What did South Carolina propose to do? What is " Nulli- 
fication " ? What steps did President Jackson take toward South Caro- 
lina ? How was the tariff question settled ? What was the abolition 
movement ? Who was William Lloyd Garrison ? What were his ideas 
on the slavery question ? 



256 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

163-167. What great cities began to grow in the West at this 
time ? How was coal discovered ? What took the place of the steel 
and flint to produce fire ? What was the cause of the crisis of 1837 ? 
What industry did the building of the railroads lead to ? What was 
the pony express? Why was Harrison called the "log cabin candi- 
date " ? By what party was he nominated ? How long did he serve ? 
Who succeeded him ? What was the magnetic telegraph ? Who 
invented it? What was the first message? 

168-170. What caused the trouble between Mexico and the setders 
in Texas ? What dispute was there with Texas on the boundary ques- 
tion ? Who was elected President at this time ? What did President 
Polk do? What was the result? Who won the batdes of Palo Alto, 
Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista ? Where did General 
Kearny go ? What did he find in California ? What was California 
called at this time ? Who led the American forces from Vera Cruz 
to the city of Mexico? What battles did he fight? When did the 
city of Mexico fall ? What were the results of the treaty of peace ? 

171-172. Who first explored California ? What did the missionaries 
bring with them ? What is the oldest mission of California ? What 
happened to the missions later ? What became of the Indians ? What 
great event occurred in California in 1848? How was the discovery 
made ? What happened when the news was spread broadcast ? What 
was the result for California ? 

173. What country claimed Oregon? On what were the claims of 
the United States founded ? Why did the English claim this territory ? 
How was the question finally settled ? 

174. What two great inventions came into use at this time ? What 
was the effect of the invention of the reaper ? Who invented the sew- 
ing machine ? What effect did this invention have on the household ? 
What other great discoveries were made at this time ? 

175. What was the effect of the request of California to be admitted 
to the Union? How many free and how many slave states were 
there at this time ? What stand did the South take on the question 
of California? What did Henry Clay propose? What were the four 
essential provisions of the Compromise of 1850? 

176-177. What were the results of the Compromise of 1850? 
What was U7icle Tom's Cabin ? What was the Gadsden Purchase ? 



QUESTIONS 257 

178-179. What bill did Senator Douglas offer at this time ? What 
were the provisions of the Kansas-Nebraska Act? What was its 
effect ? Who finally won in Kansas ? What was the Know-Nothing 
party ? What did this party do ? 

180-181. Who was Dred Scott? What was the Dred Scott deci- 
sion? What was its effect ? What did John Brown try to do ? How 
did the North look on his raid ? What did the South believe ? 

182. When was oil discovered in Pennsylvania? What was the 
effect of this discovery ? 

183. Who was Abraham Lincoln ? What did Lincoln say about 
the Kansas-Nebraska Act? What questions did the Lincoln-Douglas 
debates cover ? What was the result of these debates ? 

184. What did South Carolina do when Lincoln was elected Presi- 
dent? How many states followed her lead? What did President 
Buchanan do ? 

185-186. What did President Lincoln say in his inaugural regard- 
ing slavery? What did he do regarding Fort Sumter? When was 
Sumter fired upon by Confederates ? What was the result of the bom- 
bardment ? What did Lincoln do when Sumter fell ? What states now 
left the Union ? How many states were there in the Confederacy ? 

187-189. What was the blockade ? What brought about the battle 
of Bull Run? What was the effect of this battle? Why was the 
Peninsular Campaign so called ? Who commanded the Union army ? 
What was the result of this campaign ? 

190. Who commanded the Confederates at Cedar Mountain ? Who 
won this battle ? What was the result of the second battle of Bull Run ? 

191. What did General Lee now decide to do? Where did Stone- 
wall Jackson go ? Who was sent to oppose Lee ? Who won the battle 
of Antietam ? What did Burnside hope to do ? What was the result 
of his attack on the heights of Fredericksburg ? 

192. What was the Merrijjiac ? What did she do ? What did the 
Monitor look like ? What did the Monitor succeed in doing? 

193. Why did the Confederates establish a strong line in the West ? 
What did General Grant succeed in doing at Fort Henry and Fort 
Donelson ? What was the result of the battle of Shiloh ? 

194-195. What victories did General Rosecrans win at this time ? 
What was the result at Murfreesboro ? What happened to the forts 



258 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

on the Mississippi ? How was New Orleans guarded ? Who was sent 
to capture it? What was the result of Farragut's expedition? 

196-197. What was the feeling regarding slavery in the country 
at this time ? What did President Lincoln decide to do ? What was 
the Emancipation Proclamation ? On what date was it issued ? Who 
won the battle of Chancellorsville ? 

198-199. What move did Lee now make ? Where is Gettysburg ? 
What was the result of the battle? What is Gettysburg called? 
What did President Lincoln say in closing his address at the National 
Cemetery ? 

200-201. Where is Vicksburg situated? Why did Grant wish to 
capture it? Why did Pemberton surrender? What was the effect of 
the fall of Vicksburg ? What campaign did Rosecrans now carry out ? 
What was the result at Chickamauga ? What was '• the battle above 
the clouds " ? 

202-203. Who led the march to the sea ? What was accomplished 
by this march ? What great city was taken in this campaign ? What 
w-as the Alabama ? What did she do ? What happened at Cherbourg 
when she met the Kearsarge ? What was Great Britain compelled to 
pay for the damage done by the Alabama ? 

204-205. What were the battles of the Wilderness? What was 
Grant trying to do ? Where was Sheridan sent ? What did Early do 
in Sheridan's absence ? What was Sheridan's ride ? 

206-207. Why did Lee now believe that the end of the war was 
at hand ? When did he surrender ? What were the results of the war ? 
When was President Lincoln assassinated ? 

208-210. What three famous amendments were added to the 
Constitution ? What was the effect of each of these amendments ? 
What did President Johnson believe about the Confederate states ? 
What was the result of his impeachment ? How did the United States 
secure Alaska ? How large an area did it add to our territory ? For 
what is it valuable ? 

211-212. When was the first Atlantic cable laid? Who carried 
it out ? When was it finally successful ? When w^as the cable laid 
under the Pacific to Manila? When was the first transcontinental 
railroad opened ? 



QUESTIONS 259 

213-216. When was the Weather Bureau established? Of what 
service has this bureau been to the country ? What was the Electoral 
Commission? What did it decide? Why did Hayes withdraw the 
troops from the South ? What was the result ? What state was 
admitted at this time ? 

217-219. How long did President Garfield serve? Who suc- 
ceeded him ? What important laws were passed at this time ? For 
what is the Washington Monument famous ? 

220-222. What were two important laws of Cleveland's first 
administration? Where was Oklahoma? What happened when it 
was thrown open to settlement ? What four states were admitted in 
1 889 ? What two in 1 890 ? 

223-224. Why was the Columbian Exposition held ? What were 
some of the interesting things seen there? Where are the Hawaiian 
islands ? Who discovered them ? When were they annexed to the 
United States ? 

225-226. What happened in Cuba at this time ? W^hy was the 
Maine sent there ? What was the result of her visit ? What did 
Congress do ? When was war declared ? Who fought the battle of 
Manila ? What was the result of this battle ? 

227-229, What batdes were fought in Cuba? What was the 
resiilt of the naval battle of Santiago ? Who captured Porto Rico ? 
What territory did the United States gain by the treaty of peace ? 
What did Spain do about Cuba ? What has been the territorial 
growth of the United States? 

230-231. By whom were the Philippines discovered ? How many 
natives did the Spaniards find there ? By whom were they civilized ? 
What happened after Spain ceded the Islands to the United States ? 
What was the purpose of the Pan-American Exposition ? W^hen was 
President McKinley assassinated ? W^ho succeeded him ? 

232-233. What did Congress do at this time about the Panama 
canal? What did Panama do? What were the provisions of the 
treaty with the United States? Why was the Louisiana Purchase 
Exposition held ? Who was elected President in 1 904 ? 



INDEX 



Abolitionists, 165. 

Acadia, lossx>f, by France, 85. 

Acadians, expulsion of, 89. 

Adams, John, President, 132. 

Adams, John Quincy, President, 158. 

Alabama leaves the Union, 190. 

Alabama and Kearsarge^ 211. 

Alabama claims, 212. 

Alaska, purchase of, 220. 

Albany, 58. 

Alien and Sedition Laws, 134. 

Alien Contract Labor Law, 225. 

Allen, Ethan, 74. 

Amendments to the Constitution, 219. 

America, Northmen in, 7. 

discovered by Columbus, 12. 

continent of, discovered by Cabot, 
18. 

name of, 19. 

Dutch settlement in, 57. 

English exploration of, begun, 41. 
Americus Vespucius, 19. 
Andre, execution of, 116. 
Annapolis founded, 51. 
Anthracite discovered, 166. 
Antietam, battle of, 197. 
Appomattox, surrender at, 214. 
Arizona, cession of, 176. 

admitted, 166. 
Arkansas leaves the Union, 194. 
Arnold, Benedict, treason of, 115. 
Arthur, President, 225. 
Atlanta, capture of, 211. 
Atlantic cable, 221. 
Augustine, St., settlement of, 28. 

Balboa discovers the Pacific ocean, 21. 
Baltimore, Lord, founds Maryland, 47. 
Baltimore, city of, founded, 51. 
Barry, Commodore John, 117. 
Battle of Antietam, 197. 

Atlanta, 211. 

Baltimore, 150. 

Bennington, 109. 

Brooklyn, 107. 

Buena Vista, 174. 

Bull Run, 194. 



Battle of Bull Run (second battle), 197. 
Bunker Hill, 100. 
Camden, 119. 
Cedar Mountain, 197. 
Chancellorsville, 204. 
Chapultepec, 176. 
Chattanooga, 208. 
Chesapeake and Shannon^ 151. 
Chickamauga, 208. 
Concord, 99. 

Constitution and Guerrih-e, 151. 
Cowpsns, 121. 
Fort Sumter, 193. 
Fredericksburg, 198. 
Gettysburg, 206. 
Guilford, 121. 

Kearsarge and Alabama, 211. 
Kings Mountain, 120. 
Lake Erie, 146. 
Lexington, 98. 

Long Island (Brooklyn), 107. 
Louisburg, 85. 
Lundy's Lane, 149. 
Manila, 234. 
Maumee, 130. 

Monitor and Merrimac, 199. 
Monmouth, iii. 
Monterey, 174. 
Murfreesiboro, 202. 
New Orleans (1812), 151, 
New Orleans (Civil War), 203. 
Peninsular Campaign, 196. 
Pittsburg Landing, 202. 
Plattsburg, 149. 
Princeton, 109. 
Quebec, 102. 
Queenstown, 146. 
San Juan, 236. 
Santiago, 235. 
Saratoga, no. 
Savannah, 1 19. 
Shiloh, 202. 
Sumter, 193. 
Thames, 147. 
Tohopeka, 148. 
Trenton, 108. 
United States and Macedojiian, 151, 



261 



262 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Battle of Vicksburg, 207. 

Wasp and Frolic, 151. 

Wilderness, 213. 

Yorktown, 122. 
Bennington, battle of, no. 
Bering, Vitus, 16, n. 
Blockade, the, 194. 
Boone, Daniel, in. 
Boston, founding of, 72. 

British leave, 103. 
Boston Tea Party, 97. 
Braddock, defeat of, 88. 
Bragg, General, 203. 
Brattleboro, Vermont, 74. 
Brooklyn, battle of, 107. 
Brown, John, raid of, 188. 
Buchanan, President, 187. 
Buffalo, Exposition at, 240. 
Bull Run, first battle of, 194. 

second battle of, 197. 
Bunker Hill, battle of, 100. 
Bureau, Weather, 222. 
Burgoyne, surrender of, no. 
Burr, Aaron, 134. 

Cable, Atlantic, 221. 

Pacific, 221. 
Cabot, John, exploration of, 18. 
California, early missions of, 177. 

discovery of gold in, 178. 

admission of, 180. 
Camden, battle of, 119. 
Canada, Cartier in, 30. 

loss of, by French, 93. 
Canal, Erie, 158. 

the Panama, 241. 
Carolina, grant of, 52. 
Carroll, Charles, of Carrollton, 102, 

160. 
Carroll, Bishop John, 102. 
Cartier's voyages, -50. 
CathoUcs, settle Maryland, 47. 

grant religious freedom, 50. 
Cemetery, National, 206. 
Champlain founds Quebec, 32. 
Charleston, South Carolina, 52. 
Chattanooga, battle of, 208. 
Chicago, founding of, 166. 

exhibition at, 231. 
Chickamauga, battle of, 208. 
Chinese Exclusion Act, 225. 
Cincinnati, founding of, 128. 
Civil-service reform, 225. 
Clark, George Rogers, 112. 
Clark and Lewis' expedition, 136. 
Clay, Henry, and Missouri Compromise, 
155- 



[39- 



Clay, Henry, and Compromise of 1850, 183. 
Cleveland, President, 226, 231. 
Cleveland, city of, 166. 
Colorado admitted, 224. 
Columbia river discovered, 
Columbus, Christopher, 9. 

aided by Queen Isabella, 11. 

aided by Franciscans, ii. 

discovers New \\ orld, 12. 
Compromise, the Missouri, 155, 

of 1850, 183. 
Concord, battle of, 99. 
Confederate States formed, 190. 
Confederation, New England, 76. 
Congress, First Continental, 97. 
Connecticut, colony of, 75. 
Constitution, need of a new, 125. 

framed, 125. 

amendments to, 219. 
Constitiiiioji and Gucn-iere, 151. 
Continental army, Washington takes 

charge of, 103. 
Cornwallis, surrender of, 122. 
Coronado's expedition, 27. 
Cortes conquers Mexico, 22. 
Cotton gin, invention of, 131. 
Court, United States Supreme, 12. 
Cowpens, battle of, 121. 
Crisis of 1837, 167. 
Cuba, war in, 235. 

becomes a republic, 237. 

Davis, Jefferson, President of Confeder- 
acy, 190. 

Debates between Douglas and Lincoln^ 
1S9. 

Debt of the states, payment of, 128. 

Declaration of Independence, 104. 

Deerfield, Indian attack on, 85. 

Delaware bought by Penn, 67. 

Delaware, Washington crosses the, 
108. 

De Soto, exploration of, 28. 

Detroit, founded by Cadillac, 38. 
surrendered by Hull, 146. 

Dewey wins battle of Manila, 234. 

Diaz rounds cape of Good Hope, 19. 

Dongan's assembly, 62. 

Douglas, Stephen A., 1S5, 1S9. 

Dover, New Hampshire. 7^. 

Drake, Francis, exploration of, 41. 

Dred Scott decision, 187. 

Dubuque, 166. 

Duquesne, Fort, 86, qo. 

Dutch, in New Netherland, 57. 
cede New Netherland, 61. 

Dutch patroons, 60. . 



INDEX 



263 



Electoral Commission, 224. 
Emancipation Proclamation, 204. 
Embargo, 139. 
England, claims part of North America, 

establishes colony in Virginia, 41. 

unjust laws of, 96. 

taxes the colonists, 95. 

treaty of peace with, 123. 

seizes American sailors, 144. 

second war with, 145. 
Ericson discovers Vinland, 7. 
Erie canal. 158. 
Ether discovered, 1S3. 
Exhibition, Centennial, 223. 

Columbian, 231. 

Pan-American, 240. 

Louisiana Purchase, 242. 
Express business, growth of, 168. 
Express, pony, 168. 

Farragut takes New Orleans, 203. 
Fillmore, President, 183. 
Fitch invents a steamboat, 140. 
Florida, discovered, 21. 

bought by United States, 154. 
Fort Donelson, 200. 
Fort Duquesne, 86, 90. 
Fort Henry, 200. 
Fort McHenry, 150. 
Fort Pitt, 90. 
Fort Sumter, 193. 
France, sends Cartier to America, 30. 

and the Indian missions, ;^2'- 

claims the Mississippi valley, 37. 

loses Canada, 93. 

aids America in Revolution, no. 

trouble with, 133. 

cedes Louisiana to United States, 

134- 
Franklin, Benjamin, 87, n. 
French and Indian Wars, 83. 
Fulton, Robert, invents steamboat, 141. 

Gadsden Purchase, 184. 
Garfield, President, 225. 
Garrison, William Lloyd, 165. 
Georgia, founding of, 54. 
Gettysburg, battle of, 206. 
Gibault, Father, helps Clark, 114. 
Gold discovered, in California, 178. 

at Cape Nome, Alaska, 221. 
Gomez, Estevan, 56. 
Goodyear invents vulcanized rubber, 183. 
Grant. General, at Forts Henry and 
Donelson, 200. 

at Shiloh, 202. 



Grant, General, at Vicksburg, 207. 

fights battles of Wilderness, 213. 

General, takes Richmond, 214. 

Lee surrenders to, 214. 

President, 222. 
Gray, Captain, discovers the Columbia, 

139- 
Greene, General Nathanael, 119. 
Guilford, battle of, 121. 
Guthrie, 230. 
Guam, 237. 

Hale, Nathan, executed, 107. 

Hamilton, Alexander, 128. 

Harpers Ferry, 188, 197. 

Harrison, Benjamin, President, 230. 

Harrison, William Henry, President, 169. 

Hartford, Dutch at, 58. 

settled, 75. 
Hawaii, anne.xation of, 231. 
Hayes, President, 224. 
Hudson, Henry, 56. 
Hudson river discovered, 56. 
Hull surrenders Detroit, 146. 

Idaho admitted, 230. 

Impeachment of President Johnson, 220. 

Impressment of American sailors, 144. 

Indiana admitted, 153. 

Indianapolis, 166. 

Indians, appearance of, i. 

name of, i. 

homes of, i. 

clothing and weapons of, 2. 

customs of, 5. 

trails of, 5. 

belief of, 6. 
Interstate Commerce Act, 226. 

Jackson, General Andrew, at Tohopeka, 
148. 

at New Orleans, 151. 

in Florida, 154. 

President, 163. 
Jackson, Stonewall, 195. 
Jamestown, 42. 

Jefferson, writes Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, 104. 

President, 134. 
Johnson, Andrew, President, 219. 

impeachment of, 220. 
Johnston, General A. S., 202. 
Jolliet and Father Marquette, 35. 
Jones, Captain John Paul, 118. 

Kansas, troubles in, 186. 
Kansas-Nebraska Act, 185. 



264 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Kearny, General, 174. 

Kearsarge and Alabama, 212. 

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, 134. 

Kentucky admitted, 131. 

" King" Philip, 80. 

Kings Mountain, battle of, 120. 

Know-N£)thing party, 187. 

Lafayette, General, 109. 

revisits the United States, 156. 
La Salle, explorations of, 36. 
Lee, General Robert E., surrender of, 

214. 
Leif Ericson, 7. 

Lewis and Clark's expedition, 136. 
Lexington, battle of, 98. 
Lincoln, Abraham, debates of, with 
Douglas, 189. 

President, 193. 

death of, 216. 
London Company. 42. 
Long Island, battle of, 107. 
Louisburg, fall of, 85. 
Louisiana, explored by La Salle, 36. 

claimed by France, ;^y. 

sold to the United States, 134. 

state of, admitted, 153. 

Macdonough, Commodore, 149. 
McClellan, General, 196. 
McKinley, President, 233. 

death of, 23S. 
Madison, President, 144. 
Magellan, discovers the Philippines, 25. 

discovers the Ladrones, 25. 
Magnetic telegraph invented, i yo. 
Maine, settlement of, y^- 

admitted, 155. 
Afaine, destroyed at Havana, 234. 
Manhattan, settlement of, 57. 

purchase of, 58. 

ceded to England, 61. 
Manila, battle of, 234. 
March to the sea, 211. 
Marco Polo, 8. 
Marietta founded, 128. 
Marquette, Father, explorations of, ;^2- 
Maryland, settled by Catholics, 47. 

religious liberty in, 50. 

Claiborne's rebellion in, 50. 
Massachusetts settled by Puritans, 72, 
Massasoit, treaty with, 71. 
Mayflower, voyage of, 69. 
Mexico, conquered by Cort6s, 22. 

becomes a republic, 1 78. 

and the California missions, 178. 

war with, 173. 



Mexico, city of, captured, 176. 
Michigan admitted, 166. 
Milwaukee, 166. 
Mississippi, De Soto sees the, 28. 

Marquette and Jolliet on the, j^-i^. 

La Salle on the, 36. 

opened by Union forces, 203. 
Missouri admitted, 155. 
Missouri Compromise, n 5. 
Mobile founded, 38. 
Monitor and Merriviac, battle of, 199. 
Monroe, President, 154. 
Monroe Doctrine, 156. 
Montana admitted, 230. 
Montcalm, General, 92. 
Morse invents the telegraph, 1 70. 
Murfreesboro, battle of, 202. 

Napoleon sells Louisiana, 135. 

National Road, 158. 

Naval stations ceded by Cuba, 237, n. 

Nebraska-Kansas Act, 185. 

Negro slavery, introduced, 45. 

partly abolished, 204. 

fully abolished, 219. 
New Amsterdam, 58. 
New England, settlement of, 69. 
New Hampshire, settlement of, 74. 
New Jersey, settlement of, 63. 
New Mexico annexed, 176. 
New Netherland, loss of, by the Dutch, 

61. 
New Orleans, founded, 38. 

battle of, 151. 

Farragut captures, 203. 
New Sweden, 60. 
New York (New Netherland), 56. 
North Carolina, settled, 52. 

leaves the Union, 194. 
North Dakota admitted, 230. 
Northmen come to Vinland, 7. 
Northwest Territory, 123. 
Nullification, 164. 

Oglethorpe, General, 54. 

Ohio, settlements in, 128. 

Oil, discovery of, 188. 

Oklahoma opened for settlement, 230, 

Oregon, claims to, 139, 180. 

Oregon question settled, 181. 

Pacific, discovery of, 21. 

Pacific cable, 221. 

Pacific railway opened, 222. 

Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, 240. 

Panama canal, 241. 

Patroons, Dutch, 60. 



INDEX 



265 



Peace treaty, between England and 
United States, 123, 153. 

with Spain, 237. 
Penn, William, secures Pennsylvania, 65. 
Pennsylvania founded, 65. 
Pequot War, 80. 
Perry, Commodore, 146. 
Peru conquered by Pizarro, 23. 
Philadelphia, founded, 66. 

captured by British, no. 

Centennial Exhibition at, 223. 
Philippines, discovery of, 25. 

American rule in, 237. 

religious orders in, 238. 
Philip's War, " King," 80. 
Pierce, President, 185. 
Pilgrims found Plymouth, 69. 
Pitt, William, 90. 
Pittsburg, 90. 

Pittsburg Landing, battle of, 202. 
Pizarro conquers Peru, 23. 
Plymouth joined to Massachusetts, 73. 
Plymouth Colony, 69. 
Plymouth Company, 42. 
Pocahontas, 44. 
Polk, President, 173. 
Ponce de Le6n discovers Florida, 21. 
Pontiac, conspiracy of, 93. 
Pony express, 168. 
Porto Rico captured by General Miles, 

236. 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, y;^. 
Powhatan, 44. 

Presidential Succession Act, 226. 
Princeton, battle of, 109. 
Providence, settlement of, yy. 
Puritans, name of, 72. 

found Boston, 72. 

expel Roger Williams, yy. 

Quakers, purchase New Jersey, 64. 

found Pennsylvania, 65. 
Quebec, settled, 32. 

battle of, 90. 

Montgomery and Arnold attack, 102. 

Railways, first, 160. 

transcontinental, 222. 
Raleigh, Sir Walter, 41, n. 
Reaping machine, invention of, 181. 
Revere, Paul, 99. - 
Revolution, origin of, 95, 

begins, 98. 

end of, 122. 
Rhode Island, settled, 76. 

religious freedom in, 78. 

Providence, yy. 



Richmond, capital of Confederacy, 195. 

fall of, 214. 
Road, National, 158. 
Roosevelt, President, 241. 
Rosecrans, General, 202. 

St. Augustine founded, 28. 
St. Louis, Louisiana Purchase Exposi- 
tion in, 242. 
Sacramento, 166. 
Salem settled, 72. 
San Francisco, 177. 
Santa Fe founded, 29. 
Santiago, battle of,. 235. 
Savannah, founded, 54. 

battle of, 119. 
Schenectady, 84. 
Scott, Dred, decision, 187. 
Secession of South Carolina, 190. 
Sewing machine invented, 181. 
Sheridan's raid, 213. 
Sherman's march to the sea, 211. 
Slavery, begins in English America, 45. 

Emancipation Proclamation, 204. 

end of, in United States, 219. 
Smith, Captain John, 42. 
South Carolina, settled, 52. 

and NulUfic ;. on, 164. 

secedes ic,^. 
South D:.kota adn.itted, 230. 
Spain, war with, 233. 
Spaniards attack Georgia, 55. 
Spanish rule in America, 16. 
Stamp Act, 95. 

repeal of, 96. 
"Star-Spangled Banner," song, 150. 
Stark at Bennington, 109. 
Steamboats, 140. 
Stuyvesant, Governor Peter, 61. 
Sumter, Fort, fall of, 193. 
Sutter, Captain, 180. 

Tariff, first, 128. 

South Carolina objects to, 164. 
Tax, Stamp, 95. 

on tea, 97. 
Taylor, President, 183. 
Tea Party, Boston, 97. 
Tecumseh, death of, 147. 
Telegraph, invented, 170. 

Atlantic, 221. 

Pacific, 221. 
Telephone invented, 223. 
Tennessee, admitted, 131. 

leaves Union, 194. 
Texas, dispute about, 171. 
Tobacco in Virginia, 46. 



266 PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Tories, 103, n. 

Town meeting, 70. 

Trail, Indian, 5. 

Treaty of peace with Spain, 237. 

Trenton, battle of, 108. 

Tyler, President, 170. 

Union, New England, 76. 
United States, New York first capital of, 
127. 

Washington, capital of, 132. 

Constitution of, adopted, 126. 

growth of, 237. 
Utah admitted, 233. 

Valley Forge, in. 
Van Buren, President, 167. 
Vasco da Gama, 19. 
Vermont admitted, 74, 131. 
Verrazano, 56. 
Vespucius, Americas, 19. 
Vicksburg, battle of, 207. 
Vincennes, capture of, 1 14. 
Vinland discovered, 7. 
Virginia, settlement of, 41. 

slavery begins in, 45. 

first representative assembly in, 45. 

life in, 46. 

leaves Union, 194. 
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, 
134- 

War, Pequot, 80. 

" King" Philip's, 80. 



War, King William's, 83. 

Queen Anne's, 84. 

King George's, 85. 

Seven Years', 86. 

Pontiac's, 93. 

of 1812, 145. 

with Mexico, 173. 

Civil, 193. 

Civil, results of, 216. 

with Spain, 233. 
Washington, sent to the French, 86. 

and Braddock, 88. 

commands Continental army, 103. 

elected President, 127. 

death of, 131. 
Washington, city of, 132. 

partly burned by the Enghsh, 150. 
Washington Monument, 226. 
Washington, state of, admitted, 230. 
Wayne, General, 130. 
Weather Bureau, 222. 
Webster, Daniel, 164, 
West, opening of, in. 
Whitney invents cotton gin, 131. 
Wilderness, battles of the, 213. 
Williams, Roger, 76. 
Withdrawal of troops from South, 224. 
Wolfe takes Quebec, 90. 
Wyoming admitted, 230. 

X, Y, Z Affair, 133, n. 

York, duke of, 63. 
Yorktown, battle of, 122. 



SEP 1311905 



